[robot180]

I don't like frames for many reasons. I am sure most of you can guess why. I hear too many bad things about them and it is so contraversial that I would rather not use them. It is just as easy, for me, to use other methods that do almost the same thing. I think that whether or not you use frames is up to you as a web designer. It is kind of like your style. If you can use frames and make them work, then that is perfect. I don't use frames because I like to play a little on the safe side. I hide my javascript with <!-- and // -->. I don't know if that is overkill or what. Well anyways, the thing that I always say is "remember your audience", the most important thing in any type of design or marketing. Don't make a website about the Florida Marlins and use the colors of the NY Yankees as the theme. I know someone who made a website for a retirement center and used a black background with red and gray text. The audience of that site would generally be older folks and maybe some people in the medical field or looking for a nice place for their family. I don't think they will get a very good impression of the place from that website. Oh, by the way, he was fired.

I would suggest not going overboard. Don't use crazy and unreadable fonts and colors. I would very strongly suggest using a plain background. If you want graphics, put them in smaller images. If you haven't read the thread I made on my theory of IA, then that might be a good idea, whether you agree or not, you might find some helpful hints mentioned in there. Spell check the website. (that was a joke) I wouldn't waste time getting it validated. Those are some of the things that I can suggest. Good luck!

edit:

I want to add something. I always use an external css file to make a theme. I would strongly suggest doing this. It works very well for me and it allows me to make a common theme and I can change the theme, like for holidays and stuff.