Naming Standards

We are new to the Informix world and the Data Administrator at our shop is a little frustrated with the 18 character limit on names. Has anyone come up with a clever set of naming standards that they are willing to share with the list? For instance, do element names always or ever reference the entity to which they belong? Is there a standard set of abbreviations that you use? Are some words always abbreviated and others never abbreviated? Where did Informix come up with a limit of 18 characters in the first place? Anyway, thanks for your help. Dale Forrey, DBA email: forrey@wsu.edu Information Technology FAX: (509) 335-0540 Washington State University Phone: (509) 335-7098 Pullman, WA 99164-1222