Here's a more sensible test - http://oi56.tinypic.com/14yc0u1.jpg http://oi56.tinypic.com/14yc0u1.jpg - a lighter text-shadow with zero offset and 5px blur is u

Here's a more sensible test - http://oi56.tinypic.com/14yc0u1.jpg http://oi56.tinypic.com/14yc0u1.jpg - a lighter text-shadow with zero offset and 5px blur is used to increase the contrast around the text. Top is #fff, center is #eee, bottom - no shadow. IMO it's a close between the center and bottom options, but bottom still looks better and more uniform across different monitors.