We may use a frame to include a link to another site, so that the viewer can see the outside link without leaving your site, in order to avoid losing the viewer entirely to the other site. This is true whether one is designing buildings, furniture, or web sites. We don't use backgrounds that make it difficult to see the text. I did not say that we won't use backgrounds, but we are very judicious in how we do use them. A clean white background is frequently the best choice.
Web sites look different on different browsers.
We design our sites to look good on all browsers. Our web sites have a consistent logo on every page so the viewer knows whose web site is on the screen. Check our sample sites to see these principles in action. If you are wondering what constitutes a good, useful web site, I urge you to read this chapter. Our philosophy of web site design agrees with Peter Kent's ideas.