I usually just call everybody "he" because I've actually never seen the point of gender-different pronouns in any language. I'm hoping at some point in the far-distant future society will drop them entirely. "He" is marginally shorter, and I am male myself (I always imagine people with unknown demographics as being like me).

Usually, the way to tell actual female gamers from fakes is their unobtrusiveness (as well as spelling and being a constructive member of the community). The frauds usually claim to be female with a statement along the lines of "W000T YALL: IZ A CHICK!!!!!11!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN HAZ FONE NUBMER??", while actual women are more often revealed by statements like "BTW, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop calling me 'he'" three pages deep into a discussion. (I am exaggerating somewhat here, but you get my point)

But over all, does it really matter? Well, yes it sort of does from a social inspection point of view, because I'm very interested in tracking both the integration of women into mainstream society and in demographic trends among game/computer nerds, but really from the perspective of the game I couldn't care less. What matters is that they focus and contribute.

Indeed.

This was a good thread, back in 2008 (its a necro). Too short really.

Side snide note: Its a good job there are no perverted females on the planet, just males...

I concur. But why limit themselves to the Internet? If somebody's being a misogynisitic jerk, I would and usually do call them out on it.

"Feminist" is not an insult, remember.

Yes, I am.

Very true. I've always suspected that many of the alleged differences between male and female brains are in fact learned (starting) at an early age as opposed to being genetic.

Among other things. Most cultures are saturated with predetermined gender roles, from the cradle to the grave. But I think I'll shut up for a while and let other people post.