You can do a good bit of "hacking" in a skin if you so wish. Most are using a config file to specify link patchs so, you could create a header or footer containing these links and icons if you wish. The primary limitation to consider is that you really only have the ability to edit the header, footer, and css settings with a skin. Now, you can edit the system or blocks, but you'd have to closely monitor those changes as upgrades are released.
Themes
Getting a bit carried away :)
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