first to answer the OP:
a textarea element is an HTML element and there is no way to set the maximum length of a textarea (you can set max length on a text input element) other than using javascript tricks.
note: max length is not the same as setting rows/columns.
and second:
and as far as people getting narky (never heard that word before), it's most likely because, at least I have noticed, an ever increasing number of questions that really have nothing to do with Rails (like this one) or extremely simple questions that could be self-answered if the poster only took the time to search the documentation or web.
This very same thing was (probably still is) an issue on the php lists, irc channels and forums as more and more new users began to use the language.
i personally see nothing wrong with pointing people in the right direction as opposed to providing them with a free answer. a little push toward self-help goes a long way. call it tough love!
