Wallpaper Sizes

[captain canuck]

Inspired by the presence of On the Moon wallpapers in 1280x1024, I thought I'd ask this. It probably has no answer, or a really simple one that I'm completely unaware of (thereby making me seem like a dimwit for asking).

It's something I never quite understood; the ratio of screen size is 4:3 for every standard desktop size up to 1024x768... then it does the 5:4 ratio (for 1280x1024) for no good reason at all. Surely they're not intended for the same type of monitor; the 5:4 would get squished to fit, wouldn't it?

[Stringy Pete]

Inspired by the presence of On the Moon wallpapers in 1280x1024, I thought I'd ask this. It probably has no answer, or a really simple one that I'm completely unaware of (thereby making me seem like a dimwit for asking).

It's something I never quite understood; the ratio of screen size is 4:3 for every standard desktop size up to 1024x768... then it does the 5:4 ratio (for 1280x1024) for no good reason at all. Surely they're not intended for the same type of monitor; the 5:4 would get squished to fit, wouldn't it?
It is TFT monitors that come in a native resolution of 1280x1024 (17 and 19") which is one of the reasons why that resolution 'exists' so to speak. Most 17" CRT monitors cater for it, but most people go with the resolution 1280x960 (well I know I do anyway).

edit: More information - http://www.hitmill.com/html/screen.html