By effectively separating the functionality and the presentation of a server control, skinned controls simplify the process for changing the control presentation. When properly implemented, you can change the look of an entire Web site by simply selecting a different set of skins.
Michiel van Otegem is Software Architect for The Vision Web, a solution provider based in The Netherlands. He specializes in Microsoft and XML technologies, and writes articles for magazines and Web sites about these technologies. He is a frequent seminar speaker, and the author of Sams, Teach Yourself XSLT in 21 Days. Michiel is a very active member of the ASP and .NET community, both on forums and mailing lists, as well as through the Dutch community Web site, ASPNL.com, which he co-founded. For his work in the community Michiel has recently received the Microsoft MVP award. In his spare time, Michiel is president of the Dutch .NET user group, dotNED, and on the speaker bureau for the International .NET Association (INETA). You can contact him here.