Even though it might be fine with 1024x768 users, my eyes bleed while surfing the forums.
I have hated this background ever since I saw it on the AoS site, but it is not needed in here imho. We already have that big banner on top of everything, which shows clearly what site I am in.
And if you don't want to remove it, please make it at least darker, a lot darker.
Honestly, just look at this: http://i.imgur.com/SeSlV.jpg
And then this: http://i.imgur.com/vR3kv.png
(^^it wasn't as dark when I saved it, but you get the idea)