Panel separator between clock and FUSA is not meaningful

Default Karmic panel with separator compared to panel with separator removed (no other changes were made).

The separator surely doesnt fit. But without the separator the panel look odd, the Name merges with the time...

The separator needs to be smaller.

I'll try and change the separator size and see how it works

mac_v, I disagree. I don't think anybody could be confused about the difference between the time and their own name. Besides, the bold display of the user name and the small margin helps keep the elements separate (see my screenshot).

Looks much better with the separator.

@David:
Just realized, your screen shot is *not* using FUSA, Its using User-Switch-Applet.
The GDM is broken in Karmic , and that seems to caused this temporary switch.

While your assessment is correct that the separator is odd.Just to show how the separator could be better if it was smaller, I have attached a screen shot of New Wave theme which uses its own separate vertical and horizontal lines.[Not the best comparison, since this is a dark panel]

Notice the subtle hint of the separator, is better than removing the separator totally.

Or why not change the default of the FUSA to show the icon and not the name?
How many users are actually going to wonder what username they logged in as?The most common setup generally have single user setup or maybe 2 users. It seems more like unnecessary branding.

If we switch to the icon, the separator could be simply removed, that seems more consistent.

Attached screenshot of panel with with just the icon & removed separator .

I suggest that there not be a separator, and that (if possible) the gap between the FUSA text and the clock text be exactly the same as the normal gap between the text of two menu titles.

I strongly agree with MPT.

I agree with David Siegel! There is no need separator.