Well yea, i guess that's exactly the question that the guy who doesn't know about entropedia asks at some point (no offense!).
Direct question deserves a direct answer: i have 300k+ skills without chipping.
Actually, all the above is irrelevant. Wanna know how this works in EU?
It's based on thousands of tests. So many tests over the years that one person simply can't do it alone. The results of all those tests is Entropedia.
Not all data is correct in Entropedia, you have to use common sense and compare it to your own experience. The more you have it the better.
So who/where's the ultimate authority?
1. There's none.
2. Entropedia is the second closest thing.
3. Anyone can make mistakes and interpret the data taken from Entropedia incorrectly, and then other ppl will point out there's errors.
IMO, that's how it works. But maybe i'm wrong. If i'm wrong then someone will correct me.