The problem with this is that it assumes users want a bigger browser, which they generally don't. I browse full-screen on a 1024x768 screen because that seems

The problem with this is that it assumes users want a bigger browser, which they generally don't. I browse full-screen on a 1024x768 screen because that seems consistent with the width of a standard printed magazine page. On bigger screens, users don't want a wider browser window. Instead, they want room on the sides of the page to do other things, either sidebars within the browser or other apps outside the browser window. 960px is the perfect width so you don't get a horizontal scrollbar at the bottom of the window. It's also consistent with most other sites. Finally, 960px looks appropriate on ipad and other tablets.