Hypertext and GUI have been interdependent developments since the beginning of hypermedia way back in Doug Englebart's labs. Using VRML as an example, as an interface to listed items, it is slow and inefficient. A good designer sees all of these as just tools and uses each one where useful. Unfortunately, the Web was launched as a religion as much as a technology, and that social agenda has some pretty bad side effects. One of them is Ludditism in the name of open information for the masses.
Most information is targeted to an audience.
A human makes it and a human consumes it. Because of this, the critics of framed pages do more harm than good and essentially, do not understand interface design. They understand their own frustration and react with indignation and purported social concern against a box. Thanks for all your feedback. When all was said and done, it looked like most of our users like our new look.