1. A proactive browser system operable for implementing stateful frame navigation comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality icons, each icon corresponding to a network-based site; receiving a first command selecting a first icon and, in response, linking to a first site and displaying a first frame in an active mode for user interaction with the first site, the first frame having a state comprising visible and operational characteristics associated with the first frame; while the first frame is in the active mode, receiving interaction commands in association with the first frame and altering the state of the first frame in response to the interaction commands; receiving a command selecting a second icon and, in response, linking to a second site, deactivating the first frame from the active mode, and displaying a second frame in the active mode for user interaction with the second site, the second frame having a state comprising visible and operational characteristics associated with the second frame; while the second frame is in the active mode, maintaining the first frame in a background mode which preserves the altered state of the first frame, and receiving interaction commands in association with the second frame and altering the state of the second frame in response to the interaction commands; and receiving a second command selecting the first icon and, in response, linking to the first site and displaying the first frame in the active mode and in its altered state for user interaction with the first site; and while the first frame is in the active mode, maintaining the second frame in a background mode which preserves the altered state of the second frame.