> > Picking the default too high is a bad idea though; login names are
> > stored in lots of files, e.g. the wtmp, and if you make them
> > ridiculously long you'll waste a lot of space.
> 
> Especially if there are hacks fumbling with fixed length records.

given the nature of some of the files involved, using fixed length
records may be a hack, but it's a hack which allows the files to be
used with some semblance of efficiency.


> > If i recall, BSDI defaults to allowing 16 character login names.  Is
> > there any reason we need to, by default, allow more?
> 
> What's about 3 characters? Should be enough. Everybody knows "007", "cgd",
> "you" and "me". 8-)

I believe that falls into the 'ridiculous' category.