How to do simple passwords

[Steven Taetzsch <staetzsc pictel com>]

How can I change the rules for passwords? I am running 5.1 on a home
pc that is usually not connected to the outside world. When someone
(like my kids) tries to change their password, it is rejected because
it's like a dictionary word. They get very frustrated, and I don't
care if it's like a dictionary word.

Being linux, I'm sure I can change this. I saw some customation of the 
rules in linuxconf, but not what I wanted.

Thanks,
Steve