Skills

The mechanic I devised to keep the class and cross-class distinction without complicating issues with 1/2 skill points is listed below. Instead of spending class skill points per level, you choose a number of skills (from the normal list of class skills, referred to as the class skill list) to be "class skills" from your class skill list, gaining 1 rank per level (2 at 1st level) automatically. You then may spend free skill points (1+intelligence bonus, doubled at 1st level) every level from a restricted list.

Class skills and free skills
In any class, a number of class skills are selected from a class skill list. These skills are that character’s class skills. First level characters automatically have 2 ranks in all class skills. Class skills gain an additional rank each class level.

Characters also receive a number of free skills per level, equal to 1 + their intelligence bonus, minimum 1. At first level, this number is doubled. Free skill points can be used on the following skills: · Any untrained skill · Any skill in their class list · Any trained skill in which they have 5 or more ranks.

Training
Some skills, such as Craft or Disable Device, are considered trained skills. This means a character can only spend free skill points on them if they are in that character’s class list. Furthermore, all trained skills have a +10 penalty to DC. Each rank of a trained skill reduces this penalty by 2, so having 5 ranks of a trained skill will have no penalty at all.

The following skills are considered "trained" in this system: Appraise, Craft, Decipher Script, Disable Device, Handle Animal, Knowledge, Perform, Profession, Sleight of Hand, Speak Language*, Spellcraft, Tumble, Use Magic Device**

* I have my own rules for Speak Language that is off-topic for this mechanic.
** I don't use this skill in my game, but it would be considered trained nonetheless.