[onion2k]

Just like we didn't need to fix the infinite-scrolling-homepage before it, or the top-navigation-with-drop-downs design before that , or the left-side-navigation-fixed-width design before that, or the fluid-width-with-header-and-two-sidebars before that. The current design trend is exactly that - a trend. Something else will replace it in a year or two.

The current state-of-the-art full screen background image site is no more a standard than any other design in any other field. Design is a living, breathing thing that evolves as our technology evolves - it moves with the times.

However...

I believe that after years of designing websites, we found something that works, and works well.

You don't need to 'believe'. If you aren't testing your designs and gathering actionable metrics you're really missing out.

[tikhonj]

Testing is great, but tends to involve small local modifications. It'll get you a site that looks the same in a different way, but won't help if you want something a bit different.

Even if people did run tests on significant redesigns, I suspect results would be dominated by methodological issues and a lack of power, leading to little more than noise.

[ObeyTheGuts]

since 1999 i only do one design, the http://www.slackware.com/ design, its best and forever the best.