Linking to osc product areas from framed menu?

[chaosdollheads]

I've wrestled with osc for weeks and am about to reinstall it for the umpteenth time, but was wondering if anyone knew if what i need it to do is even possible. I've created a niche site that utilizes frames (i know about the search engine fun with frames) and is heavy on the graphics and am wanting the user to be able to click a graphical link in a left frame and have the appropriate product category appear in the main frame, same with a search box (which i'm hoping can be placed where i want it on the site?). here's a static image of the main layout: http://theblackcatcloset.com/skeleton.jpg . can this work, and if so, what do i need to do to make it work this way? php and osc are something i'm quite unfamiliar with (which may be self-evident :)