Special Edition Using Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003

Front and Center: The Great Frames "Controversy"

It is probably obvious that I am not a big fan of frames, but I hope I have presented a clear picture of their implementation in FrontPage. FrontPage does provide a solid platform for designing with frames should the need ever arise.

The frames "controversy" is actually part of a larger dialog that every Web developer should consider: At what point do I sacrifice technologies for my audience?

In short, if you are going to use frames (inline or otherwise), you are going to need to either answer the issues the use of frames surfaces, ignore the issues, or come up with another option altogether. In the "Comprehensive Navigation Without Frames: An Example" section of this chapter, you can see a solid site navigational structure that provides all the navigation of frames without any of the problems.

I believe that there are alternatives for every benefit afforded by frames, making their implementation no longer an issue. I also feel strongly that time spent answering questions asked by the implementation of an obsolete technology is pointless.

You'll have to decide if you agree with me or not.