Some times black backgrounds and text works well. However it is a bit of cheap design solution like frames. I have used both of these methods in the past but don't anymore. My university society has both of these but its because the site was only supposed to be a quick site done in a rush.
My professional site I am currently working on which is database driven has very simple white backgrounds with red links and black text. The look is very clean and slick.
Things in web design seem to come in fashions at the moment all the rage is database driven sites so its intereactive 3 years ago flash was all the rage now flash is not so hot anymore. However I think database driven sites offer real value and will be the future.
Flash is too much of a look what I can do thing just to boost the ego of web designers and not give a though to the poor users at the other end. Flash intros were a prime example of this. There are occasions when flash sites stilll work well and minimal flash animation on a site is fine.
I've gone a bit off topic here sorry.
At the end of the day there is no right ot wrong way as longs as the site loads quickly, is easy navigate and read it should work well.