Twitter, why only 15 character user names?

[Fatbat]

We have a business associate that could really use a 16 character Twitter user name, but they only allow up to 15. I tried sending the question to the Twitter help desk twice, but each time it has gone unanswered and been closed.

Maybe there's an obvious reason for this that I'm unaware of? Something to do with using it on your mobile perhaps? I don't know, because it doesn't work on mobile phones here in Spain so I've not tried it that way.

 

[turbolapp]

They have to put a limit somewhere otherwise you're going to have morons that won't think first make a name with xxx characters and then never be able to type a full sentence because of the 140 character limit

 

[Drover]

There has to be a limit somewhere. What do you think it should be?

 

[Fatbat]

Dunno, 18-24 characters seems more reasonable Also help reduce the problem that is finding an available Twitter name... which isn't so easy these days. 15 just seems kind of short to me.

 

[Jizzlobber]

"Your user name can contain up to 15 characters. Why no more? Because we append your user name to your 140 characters on outgoing SMS updates and IM messages. If your name is longer than 15 characters, your message would be too long to send in a single text message. "

 

[droplister]

MakeMoniesOnline is 16 characters, coincidence? I think not.