So, I have 18 gmail invites to hand out on a first come, first served basis. Why? Because once you have a gmail account you can use Google Talk. It's small, and doesn't have any of the extra features (and smilies) of YIM, but it's alive, folks, and that has to count for something!
So, if you and yours can't survive until YIM pulls its head out of its ass, stick your email addy in the comments here and I'll send one out to you. (If you don't want your email to be visible to others, comment and then delete. I'll get it in the notification email.)