I read upto page 9 before getting exceptionally bored but nevertheless...
A quick google search finds
this.
Information based on statistics to come to perhaps come to some of conclusion. Of course we could take this further and say statistics is nothing but mathematical generalisations as we don't know what everyone is doing....
But, In short usage is pretty even but typically more men develop higher interest in computers. That a per centage but does not necessarily mean no female could develop higher interest in computers - far from it.
Also, that statistic does not say women have less capability with computers. Of course, ability is often aligned with interest given in a free society you are unlikely to be pursue something you've had no interest in from the start. Perhaps in that regard you could say women might be less technically literate than men but that is only because they have less interest (for a huge variety of reasons) not less ability. There's no evidence for that.
Indeed, I might even suggest that the average woman who does get involved in IT by overcoming the stereotype barriers probably means that they will be far more serious/determined about their point of interest than men and thus have higher ability than the average male. That is not to say they make the best in their field but neither is it to say that men make the best in a particular field - that simply can't be said, would be pointless and quite counter-productive. We should be encouraging women into the IT field.
Generalisations are a way of understanding the world and they are based on probability and can not say such an occurance can not happen but rather a qualified response stating that is only unlikely to happen. A generalistion isn't a generalisation anymore when he denies the possibility of something happening eg in a month's time finding out the best Star Craft player is female as is the second and third. Of course we can still say it is unlikely for a huge number of factors interconnecting and affecting at various complex and subtle levels.
I don't what the big deal is about. Just because there is a generalisation doesn't demean one unless the one holding the generalised viewpoint is prejudiced in some way. On that point I'd like to differentiate generalisations with stereotypes as while they are overlapping often stereotypes are based on some prejudice or particular viewpoint looking down on others eg the pc geek being skinny/fat, spotty, glasses wearing male with poor social skills. For myself, outside of being male and also wearing glasses I don't fit that at all and according to a generalisation I shouldn't be involved with computers to to level I am given I'm doing a humanties course at university.
People are complex and often generalisations when they lead onto stereotypes/prejudiced views are counter-productive and I think is what the great ruckus in this thread is about.
However, all things said, I think it would be wrong to get angry over a generalisation or - rather I'd say if fair and it doesn't fit to you - why care? It's only worth getting angry over a prejudiced stereotype that boxes you and doesn't allow you be to recognised for your abilities - accordingly those female techs have a right to be angry at stereotypes of women having poor technical ability as that is wrong and the best tech in the world might be female.
As a general rule not only about this topic only get angry about prejudiced generalisations or stereotypes. And that is when it affects your personal and business life. Otherwise, those stereotypes say more of the beholder of them than you.
/shrug
edit: I just read the last few pages so sorry if I resurrected this thread! Bad me. You can shoot me later...