My monitor doesn't even have a 1280x960 setting, though it does offer 1280x1024. Does this mean that this setting should not be used? No, in fact it doesn't. I use, and like, this setting, regardless of your opinion.
Conclusion: Lose the attitude. If you have good information to share, please do so without the unwarranted prejudice. Your arguments for or against something have a much better chance to convince others to change their minds about whatever it is if you omit the holier-than-thou flavored comments. For example:
Personally, I can't imagine why someone with normal vision would still use 640x480 or even 800x600 on modern monitors since I think they both give up far too much screen real estate for limited gain in readability of what is displayed, but many more people still use those resolutions than use what I choose to use. On my 19" Philips 109B monitor, I believe 1280x1024 (you can substitute your own resolution choice here) to be very legible for all applications unless you still have a 15" monitor and/or poor eyesight. My best guess as to why more people use those two huge resolutions is that they are, or were, defaults.
The preceeding states why I believe my resolution to be the best for the monitor I'm using, without pre-judging anyone else's choice of monitor/video card/screen resolution. My comments balance the gains and losses and state why I think my choice is better, at least for me, without a single derogatory statement.
