Answer: when the KISS principal is not applied first.
I spoke in my previous post how I wanted to improve a page inheritance approach on a charity ASP.NET coding project by employing XML Serialization from an XML config file, similar to .text skinning in Scott's 0.94. It seemed a good idea last night at 2:00AM, as I was excited about the potential of learning more about XML Serialization. But in the light of day I realize that the way to improve on my inheritance model was to simplify my config file and base classes, not by adding a layer of XML Serialization complexity where it is not needed. Someday that will be a “layer of XML Serialization simplicity” as I will continue looking for opportunities (mostly in those after-hours, non-billable sessions) to use serialization and use it often. I think its a great feature of the .NET framework!