Like high quality headphones. It is in no way whatsoever required, but some feel it enhances their enjoyment.
That said, if a terminal constitutes most of your usage, there is honestly little point in getting an IPS display. It just doesn't matter whether or not the blacks are really perfect black, when you're reading text on a white background.
There is a guy I work with who uses two 20" 16:9 TN panels in portrait orientation, and it always looks bad to me. He says it looks fine.
I also feel like maybe the glare coating could be contributing to the problem. I should get a glossy one to test.
Oh, btw, I think the colors are fine from any angle or orientation. The best way I can describe the problem is that the "sharpness" is off.
Yes. Many bloggs with light-gray-on-white text will become less annoying. Even Github used to look like xxxx on a TN panel. Apple-inspired subtle gradients of gray really do look better on IPS.