Frames allow a page to be broken up into smaller areas, each area being able to display a different URL. Such a page is called a frameset, the FRAMESET tag (a container) defines the number of frames within the page.
Splitting a page into frames is very confusing for users since frames break the fundamental user model of the web page. All of a sudden, you cannot bookmark the current page and return to it (the bookmark points to another version of the frameset), URLs stop working, and printouts become difficult. Even worse, the predictability of user actions goes out the door: who knows what information will appear where when you click on a link?
Three Websites for Frames Evaluation:
The above site is a bad example of frames, firstly the main site is divided into two frames. Secondly, the content in both frames are enclosed in tables. One of the bad website design is evident on the left frame when the mouse is placed above "Community Cal" and "Retail Shopping", the tables change their width, which should have been adjusted during the design process itself. There is also too much content on a single page, such as the front page.
This site is a bad example of frames, on the front page, they have a scrolling menu where one can't access certain parts of the menu below "Optimizing Sites" One needs to click on one of the menu links to see a static page with frames. Their site is not properly designed and formatted. Ironically, they designing websites so customers websites are viewed more often and try to direct traffic to customers sites, that they design.
3) WITS Inc.
WITS is a non-profit organization dedicated to underserved populations. Their goal is to be run and staffed by students with a "pass it on" value. Their site is a good design with frames. They don't use a border, so many novice users might not notice it. The menu is animated but is static at the same time. The also have decent content on their websites.