They were professional skins designed by Stardock that came out periodically for people with either a WinCustomize or Object Desktop subscription.

Well, I understand better than the average person, getting into a position where you can't deliver and needing a little understanding; they did what they could to do right by extending the subscription for an extra year--it sure would be nice to get like 1 a year as a Christmas surprise or something.  I learned a lot from those skins--they were an inspiration on what could be done, and it was a visual example of usability AND "knock-your-socks-off" pizzazz.

LOL -- weiners are a luxury item (i.e., no food value, but taste great) so I don't buy those too often; I've been learning to do a lot with beans.

The thing about Master skins and Premiums is that the skinners are (rightfully) trying to make money on them, so they're designed with mass appeal (i.e., minimal) in mind, so there isn't a lot of surprise there -- no fire-breathing dragon, or that skeleton that pops over the start menu like in the Halloween skin.  Master skins and Premiums are like the "little black dress" or "navy blue suit" of skins -- elegant and classic, gets you in the door everywhere, flatters the figure, use it every day.  Subscriber skins were like a tux or a ball gown--still elegant, still flattering but more WOW factor.