Dnn is a framework ... It provides an extensive set of tools and resources that allow sites to be built around a content design and layout that is dynamically editable in realtime.

dnn sites are database driven ... The content of the site is stored in tables and structures not in HTML or aspx pages.

while yes dnn utilises the asp.net membership framework ... It greatly extends on the basics ... Providing page and module level content access controls automatically ... Along with dynamic menus and extensibility to support othe membership providers such as native active directory and Facebook etc.   ....  You get none of this from the asp.net membership ... So you would be coding from scratch.

comparing master pages and the skinning framework in dnn is a serious stretch.  The dnn skinning framework offers dynamic page by page and module level formatting ... In realtime all dynamically user editable ... So much so that you can have entirely different skins being shown to different users for the same page ... Depending of browser or platform etc.

Ultimately what dnn gives yiu is dynamic content management ... Offering thousands of differing modules and resource type that you can drop in and run... Want to add a feedback system drop it on a page.  Want a file repository same ... Or a full shopping cart ... Forum .... Blog ... Social media feed ... 

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Have you actually spent any time working with and exploring DNN ?  Its an entirely different design philosophy to hand coding aspx pages.

Asp.Net themes are a fairly pale comparison - when you look at the extensive capabilities in the dnn theme system.

If all you want is a bog standard website built within your own coding capabilities and time constraints then go for it and  hard code all you want.  

If you want a dynamic content managed non-static site with capabilities and resources provided by the combined coding and development skills of hundreds of thousands of web developers and designers  around the world - then spend a little time a have a play with dnn.

For what its worth - many of the 750,000+ web sites out there running DNN have never needed to be touched by a single programmer during their design phase.  This is the power of a system like DNN - you dont need to code to get a fully working and functional website.

Yes the power is there to code and design your own modules and skin objects and handlers if you so desire for a unique or special need - but for many - its all about the simplicity of point and click - backed up by the most solid and respected asp.net content management framework available today.

Westa