[benwills]

I would disagree with the reason being "because we've always done it this way."

I started programming C full time about 2.5 years ago (after many more with PHP, et al). There's an aesthetic to writing C that I don't find with other programming languages. I believe this is, in part, due to the generalized use of shorter variables and keeping everything as compact and simple as possible.

Since deciding to keep everything at an 80-char width, I can say that it has helped me maintain a certain kind of readability I don't find with other languages. And, while aesthetics don't matter once the compiler takes over, I can say that good aesthetics do improve my ability to program more effectively and efficiently.

[geoka9]

I second that, and want to add that scanning a shorter line is easier on the eyes, too. There's a reason typography conventions limit line width to 60-70 characters.