Girls are said to think that software and video games and computer programming are for guys.

NEWYORKER: A Woman��s Place

In computer superstores, 60% of software sold is games, and about 35% is business software.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

You can take money out of these tax-favored accounts to buy any computer, peripheral, or educational software but not games (Microsoft Word, for example, but not Halo).

FORBES: Buy A Computer With Help From Uncle Sam Before Year End

Another example of the closing gap between the worlds of gaming and grown-up simulation is the decision in May by Digital Sandbox, a supplier of simulation software to America's defence department, to set up a consumer division to make computer games.

ECONOMIST: Serious games