.net magazine just published this excellent article on some of the myths of web design (7 links in the navigation, 3-second rule) which, to be honest, I’m surprised that some of these still exist.
The problem is that when you start making rules, you limit yourself. We are ‘limited’ as it is to the technology of the time, so why put more limitations on yourself. Indeed we as web designers/developers should treat each website we design/build as an individual piece that fits its brief instead then trying to force self-imposed rules on the look, feel and outcome.
Anyways check out the article.