O.K. since you people at Paizo can expect (directly or not) almost my entire RPG budget (I might still buy a mini here and there from the other guy), you can expect my two electrums (worth gold in my opinions) to come with it!
So after two readings I'll start my comments with the skills. I like most of the system: Fixed Bonus, adding skills with levelling, the grouping of some skills and the "Untrained" section of the skills where an untrained roll isn't allowed are all very appealing.
My reservations are with the organisation of the categories witch don't allow as much refinement in the characters. Let me explain, in my observations of how the current system of skill points is used by players I see mostly 3 things:
1- A single skill point used to acces an untrained skill (ex.: knowledge local or nature come up fairly often in my experience).
2- Skill points invested in a "secondary"-skill keeping it around half the maximum ranks to get a wider skill use (ex.: 4 ranks of ride and heal for an 8th level Druid).
3- Skill points invested in a "primary"-skill keeping it at max. rank level.
I must admit I've seen a few "5 ranks for the synergy bonus and that's it" (bluff and tumble mostly) but I'd like to discourage that.
Also, the "few-skill classes" already have... well, few skills, so I wouldn't make them "pay" the same price to get "half the stuff" others get (i.e.: cross-class) but I do agree that they shouldn't be able to get to be as good in cross-class skill.
I currently use a house-rule (actually from the Paizo boards, can't remember from whom but thanks!) where cross-class skills ranks cost 1 skill point each but you are still maxed at 1/2 (level+3) for ranks.
How could that be implemented in the proposed system you say? I'm glad you ask!
A training point option with three skill categories (This could be an optional rule):
Categories:
Apprenticed, cost 1 training point, gives you acces to a "no-untrained use" skill as a normal untrained (d20+ability modifier+misc. bonus)
Secondary-Training, cost 2 training points, roll as a "Trained Cross-Class" (d20+1/2 (level+3)+ability modifier+misc. bonus)
Primary-Training, cost 4 training points and must be a Class Skill, roll as a "Trained Class" (d20+(level+3)+ability modifier+misc. bonus)
Each Skill Choice would gives 4 Training points and you can upgrade categories by investing more Training points in the skill. Character could also gain 2 training points per level (but you lose a skill choice in the full progression that way).
I know it's a bit more complicated and that the wording could be sexier (I'm sure you have all the right people for that) but I feel it would make detailing of a character more interesting, I'd use it that way so there !
Another small note on new "Grouped-skilled": Climb, Swim and Fly (???, I understand where your going with that but I'm no sure it' the way to go) and maybe even Ride could be grouped in Athletics (STR) or some other "general-movement-type-name" skill witch could also be useful for ruling on pursuits and racing.
That's it for now but I'll be back!
Again congratulation to all Paizo on your "Beau Risque" (I hope my fellows from Quebec get the ref.) and the great work so far.