As a web designer I’ve been using the 960 grid system for a while. Basically organizing my content on a grid allowing developers to save time and streamline their development process. Recently I’ve read a few articles about the 960 grid getting “old”.

Since the 960 grid became widely use the following has happened:
Designers have simply started using larger fonts. 12 pixel used to be common. Now 13 pixel and up is common. Also screen sizes have gone up.

How does this affect the 960 grid? The gutters are simply too narrow. I’ve read a few articles about a 978 grid popping up with margins that are 10 pixels wider. Is the 978 grid a solution? Personally I find 978 simply too wide. As a designer working in a government town where working for for a 1024×768 pixel resolution is often being optimistic I normally chop off a column or two on the 960 grid.

If you want to learn more about the 960 grid: http://960.gs/
Or if you want to try your own hand at creating a grid system:
http://www.spry-soft.com/grids/