How important is a custom skin when it comes to promoting a forum?  Is it easier to promote a forum and build up a user base if the skin is original?  There was a poll on this forum a few months back asking people whether they were less likely to use forums that use the default forum skin.  It seemed like most people did not mind which skin was used, but the content was the important factor.

Are flashy graphics and complex templates a good idea, or are they largely a waste of money and time?

I always prefer fast loading skins that are usually light on the graphics simply because I do not want all that junk vieing for my attention when reading a forum.

What are your thoughts?

I think there are so many forum snow that it is important to offer something engaging and original to visitors in order to keep them. The internet is such a visual phenomenon that a skin is one of the ways a forum owner has of being original and eye-catching.  I do not consider as important as original and engaging content, but I think it can help.