EG: Clicking on the 'name header' for sorting up/down by name (or any other header in the panel view) would also auto resize the column to fit the longest or shortest item in the column -- when the option is enabled.
Additionally I figure this funtionality would be temporary only and not alter any saved tabstop settings.
Although I am in 1024 x 768 (about the smallest I can reasonably work with on a 17" monitor) I still find myself needing to fiddle with the column sizes quite a bit. Especially name and size columns.
Along the same line, I sure would like to see an integrated 1,3 & 4 panel feature.
ALSO..

EG: going from FULL | FULL to TREE | FULL, etc etc would all have their own positions saved.