Thr Option key in Panther is better than I thought...
Everyone knows that holding the option key while doing something can cause a separate function to occur. Well, I've been having problems in Panther with column view, especially, not wanting to stay, both the window and inside of it, where I put it. Try holding option while moving the separation bar (at the bottom where you grab to slide it around) and setting the position to your desired place. It sticks! Now when opening a new Finder window in this view, you'll see the position is the same as you left it. Seems to work for leaving the window a particular size and place also. Nifty... 