That techTV site launched in 2001 and it was decided to go to around 800px. Up from the old ZDTV site which was pinned at 612px.
https://web.archive.org/web/20000603192652/http://www3.zdnet...?
https://web.archive.org/web/20000603192652/http://www3.zdnet...?
It wasn't until 2008 when 800x600 was below 10% of users and I finally started using a 900 grid.