Don't make users pick a username Published Tue Jan 15 17:41:50 SAST 2013
Who doesn't love being cutekittenprincess87
?
Instead, pick a username for them and let them change it later. Better yet, use an existing identity provider.
Even for a reputation-based service where a username matters, get the customer's email first, so you can market to them and help them pick a unique name.