Depending on how you define chars, I have only a few or many.
If "char = ships" that are not more than ship+(pilot name), I have a lot.
If "char = a real, 3-dimensional person" with family, friends, defined hobbies, developing story... so that is more than a ship+name, I have only 3.
Why do I have many ships + name? Because...
... 4 h rule almost forces you to have ships somewhere else
... I like to test these ships, but e.g. my indie bomber in Cali to shoot pirates doesn't need more than a name. It will never get much rp and I don't want to rp a lot when I log it.:)
... I like to have indies in the hot zones so I can pvp when I want =)
Generally I agree with the OP. I sometimes wish people would focus on one faction, and then have some few others that are linked with the main faction, e.g. I play IMG| mostly, but am a simple member in GMG|, [M], |IDF... that's all factions somehow linked to IMG (so I don't end up fighting my own people).
