Aljoschas simply countable

simply_reliable

// show tipsy with remaining characters
  $('[data-maxlen]')
  .tipsy({gravity: 'e', trigger: 'focus', html: true})
  .each(function(){
    var el = $(this);
    el.data('doUpdateTitle', function(){
      var len = el.val().length;
      var remaining = el.data('maxlen')-len;
      el.attr('title', '<span class="'+(remaining<0 ? 'red' : '')+'">Verbleibende Zeichen: '+remaining+'</span>').tipsy('hide').tipsy('show');·
      return len;
    });
  })
  .keydown(function(event){
    var el = $(this);
    var len = el.data('doUpdateTitle')();
    if ((len >= el.data('maxlen')) && ($.inArray(event.which, [8,37,38,39,40]) < 0)) {
      return false;
    }·
  })
  .keyup(function(){
    $(this).data('doUpdateTitle')()
  });