So, I'm finally getting around to getting a phone. I've finally found a plan that fits my needs (texting only) for a great price ($20/month).

I'd like to start using their service, but their phone selection is kinda crappy. I want a full keyboard, since I'm only using it for texting anyway. However, their full keyboard phones aren't real cheap.

I know a place downtown that sells cheap, "unlocked" phones. How does this work? Does that mean a phone, not from my provider will work with my provider?

I'm looking to do this with Virgin Mobile.

Sorry for being such a noob. This is one piece of technology that has always managed to evade me. I've never been too into the whole "phone" thing...but I'm sick of texting people with my girlfriends phone and getting a "So whats Jeph up to?" back