Onto the next chapter! Well first, as has been said the limited customizability is not entirely appealing, but as a regular DM I love the simplicity the new skill system gives me in the creation of NPCs and monsters. In the Design Focus thread, I have already suggested what I thought the best comprimize I saw in the choices, so I'm not going to repeat it here.
Query, why is Acrobatic (which has jump mushed in) not on the Fighter class skill list? I've always thought that the Fighter should have access to Balance (damn uneven flagonstone messing up my charges) and Tumble (damn creatures with reach), so I most certainly see it as an appropiate skill to be on their list! (Same goes for Paladin and Ranger, especially Ranger)
Open Lock should be mushed in with Disable Device not Theft...it just doesn't seem to fit.
I find it curious that Perception is so mushed with other skills. For one, part of me believes that Search would be more appropiate as apart of the Theft skill. I also believe that Sense Motive should have been placed in Perception.
I believe that Disguise should be placed into Deception perhaps. For Disguises are most certainly disceptive.
I like the expansion on the diplomacy skill. I've had a pet peeve with the diplomacy skill for a very long time. I found the set DCs (and the lack of set modifiers to augment them) to easy to pass and making it so that either I had to stone wall PCs or feel jipped when forced to make every NPC is forced to do what the PCs wants if they're not completely unreasonable.
Fantastic change on the Knowledge (arcana) with learning info about creatures. The HD didn't make much sense seeing as it made it incredibly hard to ID some fairly common large+ monsters. I like the 10+CR it is much more reasonable and realistic. I beleive this should be applied to all knowledges that can ID creatures.
Ah, Perception and the inclusion of modifiers based on the level of light. An excellent addition. ^^
I like the addition of smell, taste, and touch to the perception to the skill as well. I beleive it will add a whole new level to the game.
~Anry