Names break status widget

[GoogleCodeExporter]

A player with an odd name connected today, and broke the status widget.  We 
should figure out what the issue is.

I made a copy of the bitfighterStatus.json -- it is in the user master's home 
folder, and is called brokenstatus.json.  It appears there are some UTF-8 
characters in there somewhere.  How did they get there?  Enquiring minds want 
to know!

Original issue reported on code.google.com by watusim...@bitfighter.org on 18 Dec 2013 at 9:15

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Found 2 ways that strange symbols can appear in player names.
1. copy and paste symbols into bitfighter.ini: LastName=<symbols>
2. (Probably windows only) At bitfighter login username, hold down ALT, use 
number pad to enter numbers (between 1 - 255), release ALT. This ALT + number 
pad symbol inserting works on most windows programs including notepad. Number 
pad needed, numbers above letters on keyboard will not work.

In-game Bitfighter font will not display symbols like if the symbol char is 
zero-length, but when you join a server it shows up "XXXX", and master/Players 
online part shows strange symbols or diamond/question marks.

Original comment by sam8641@gmail.com on 19 Dec 2013 at 1:24

[GoogleCodeExporter]

so question is should we allow this?

 I think we should unless there is not a way to add the characters.

confirmed input methods work.

Original comment by Cory.Pou...@gmail.com on 19 Dec 2013 at 7:55

[GoogleCodeExporter]

found a way 3 which is similar to  method 1 [ windows only] copy and paste 
characters from windows charmap program into the INI

Original comment by Cory.Pou...@gmail.com on 19 Dec 2013 at 7:58