moxfactor

IMHO framing looks better with prints than on a computer display, if you must frame, i think simple is best.  usually frames/borders are used only for adding signatures so it doesn't detract from the overall image aesthetics, when people don't want to mark directly onto the photograph.  there's a small advantage to framing, which is to direct the eyes to the center of the frame, but i think for viewing online, i'd rather not make the photo even smaller than the pixel size restrictions already determined by most people's monitor sizes or certain forum/website's set restrictions (eg. facebook has some pretty disgusting size restrictions and a really piss poor shrinking algorithm, do you really want to add a border to that?)

just my 2 pence.  ^_^

moxfactor

oh, if you've got print in mind as the final step, of course it's a big help...  i thought this was purely a online display issue.  in terms of competition, i mostly stick with printing with white border(trim size depends on the photos), then mounting onto black or pastel cardboard for the effect(pastels because white on white looks weird, bright colour cardboards look hideous, and they can never get the shading right on dark colours).  my personal choice is against the top beveled layer, but of course, it's a matter of personal aesthetics.