The ViewSonic LCD that I have (VG175) came with color calibration software and a color chip to use in the process. I don't know if I did mine right, since I am color blind
. You could pick up color calibration hardware that will put all your devices in sync for color (includes your scanner and printer). I know that Monaco Systems offers such a product, and I think it has gotten good reviews (don't remember hearing bad stuff about it).
There are other advantages to LCD's that should be considered before you decide. One is eye strain. If you intend on sitting in front of the screen for more then a few hours at a time, that should be in your decision process. LCD's have virtually zero eye strain. This means that you can look at them for 12 hours and not have your vision fade on you. I used an LCD (at work) for over a year and could look at it a lot longer then a CRT display without getting tired. That was a major factor when I decided to get a new screen for home. The brightness and contrast of current LCD's are amazing. I know that ViewSonic has units that are truely stunning to look at. Screen refresh/flicker is also something to consider. With CRT's you will always have some, even if you cannot consciously see it, it's there. With the current batch of LCD's (and those from about a year or two ago) that is also not there.
Usuable screen size is something else to consider. With CRT's, you never get the advertised screen size... a 21" screen is really 20" (if you are lucky). With a 18.1" LCD, that is the actual screen size. Also, the resolution of the LCD gives you more usable space. I set my 17.4" LCD to 1280x1024 and have the same amount of usuable space as a 21" CRT.
Oh yeah, some other things that you might want to consider about the screens. CRT's produce both heat, and suck up lots of power. LCD's produce virtually no heat, and use a fraction of the power of CRT's. CRT's also emit radiation (not all that much, but that is all part of CRT technology), where LCD's do not.
Personally, I would suggest getting a LCD screen and calibrate it to your devices. I firmly believe that you will be happier in the long run if you get it now instead of later. Also, what would you do with the used, used CRT when/if you get a LCD later??? Don't expect to get what you are giving your friend for it, unless he is giving it to you for a song.
