hmm just changed mine to 960 and it does look a little better :) thanks

1280x1024 can be a square resolution, depends on the monitor. Most LCD screens that have a native resolution of 1280x1024 have 5:4 proportions - which means square pixels.

The classic CRT proportions are 4:3, and in that case 1280x1024 delivers non-square pixels.

The viewing areas of my 19" LCD screens are 37.5 cm wide by 30 cm tall, which is a 5:4 ratio. So the 1280x1024 delivers square pixels.

My site stats have the most users coming in at 1024x768, a lot still at 800x600. It depends on who you expect to visit, artists or viewers. Artists would tend use use the higher resolutions.

"Most LCD screens that have a native resolution of 1280x1024 have 5:4 proportions - which means square pixels." Yup. I measured my screen and its 5:4 Coldrake

svdl hit the nail on the head with his explanation.

Many LCD screens in the 17"-19" market use 1280x1024 (a 5:4 aspect ratio) as their native resolution.  Before desktop LCD's were common, such a 5:4 resolution was common on laptop LCDs.  I'm not really sure what made made manufacturers opt for 1280x1024 instead of 1280x960 (a lovely 4:3 aspect ratio) in their jump from the 15" to 17" display market, but they did and now you've got lots of us out there with a somewhat oddball, but not totally uncommon, aspect ratio.