Well if you have a CRT you can adjust resolution and still maintain the same quality. On a LCD if you change from the native resolution you will be losing quality. I like high resolution myself, at least 1280x1024 so I can fit more on one screen. Refresh rate will effect you on gaming or some DVD movies, also CAD designers where CRT's still rule.
I can't take the brightness all day anyway. So for me half brightness is just fine. I keep my flat panels at just one notch above minimum and my CRT at minimum.