Systems that restrict password complexity

It's been a while since I last blogged so I thought I'd post a rant comment about an issue that I find slightly annoying. Why do some software applications restrict password complexity and disallow the use of spaces, or non alpha numeric characters? Why do some software systems restrict passwords length to below 'n' characters? Aren't such rules counter productive, reducing the possible number of password combinations that can be used, making brute force attacks easier?

Online shopping must be doing well from all of the bad weather.

There are no delivery slots available for online delivery from either Tesco or Superquinn until Tuesday (4 days away). I'm sure online retailers are having a bumper month.

online delivery schedule