I'd agree with the other guys, esp. Rodsay. f2p is part of the game and should taken into account for skotm. Granted, there's a better chance an f2p skill gets picked, but in case it doesn't for a while, I'd have something in place to make sure it does.

^ @ creepy

even if it's randomized between those 3 options certain people would still plan to win when the winner's choice comes up. and there wouldn't be any ties those months as every tied month so far has been planned between the 2 winners. which simply wouldn't happen if they know that they'll get to pick whichever skill they want for the next month to rack up more xp for the skoty totals.

group choice would also be a bit unfair as most people would post things like "i dont feel like training these skills so lets all pick this one plz" and it'd turn into a popularity contest for the most part.

tho on the plus side it might make some of the less often used skills appear at times to make up for where Fredbot lacks.
then again making him keep track of more than just the past 3 months (with the total block still on the last 3 months choices) to limit the ones picked in the last 6-9+ months' odds of being picked again might help it be a bit more evenly dispersed. however if u limit them to far back u'd risk losing the randomness all together.

at present it's a nice leisurely competition that some people take seriously when certain skills they prefer get picked, and they get their hopes worked up in anticipation for the next month's pick as the current month draws to a close, which is the nice thing about it.