>Here are the rules I was taught.
>
>Must contain upper and lower case
>Must contain at least one number
>Must be at least eight characters
>If words are used then combine two disassociated words.
>
>Example D0gBR1be (Dog Bribe)
>Easy to remember and tough to figure out.

My rule is to use my language(s) :). Anything but English, so it gives some unpredictable characters side by side. In tougher cases, password in Cyrillic :).