What are some keys for creating a good password?

According to the Microsoft Windows website, a good password has at least eight characters, does not use your real name, company name or identifiable user name and does not contain a complete word. Additionally, Microsoft states that a strong new password is very different from any previous passwords.

Microsoft also states that a strong password contains an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a number and a unique keyboard symbol. Also consider making the password longer than eight characters to increase the password's strength. In order to remember the specialized password, use a meaningful paraphrase that is easy to remember but unique.