These ideas about women in technology are offside!

It feels as though I've woken up at the other end of a time portal and landed in the 1950s

Well I must say I feel as though I've woken up at the other end of a time portal and landed in the 1950s.

A week and a half ago, ex-Sky football presenter Andy Gray was recorded saying that lineswoman Sian Massey was unable to understand the offside rule.

‘Somebody better get down there and explain the offside rule to her," he had said to fellow presenter Richard Keys.

Arguably, the tired old joke is more offensive than the sexism, and in itself warrants a good dressing down from one's boss. He was given the sack.

So jumping on the media bandwagon around the affair, we ran a follow-up poll question, asking: "Are ex-Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray's sexist views also typical of those found in the technology industry?" The result is pretty irksome so far.

In the short time the poll has been up, almost 200 people (about 80 per cent of respondents) have clicked on the following answer:

A) "Yes, but what does it matter? I'm a man and I like working with men. Women and technology don't mix!"

Oh dear.

Now, there could be a number of explanations for this result.

1) It was the only amusing answer

2) It was the first answer, the readers got bored and left the site before reaching B

3) A certain type of person answers poll questions

4) Normal people become a certain type of person when they answer poll questions

5) Or perhaps this answer actually reflects the prevailing attitude in the industry...

Yikes. But 80 per cent. Really?

If this is actually reflective of the IT industry's attitudes, the said industry needs to do a bit of rethinking; and without wanting to state the obvious, here's why:

First, not having women in the workplace means that it misses out on all the potential talent women can bring, as well as different viewpoints and the creativity that comes from diversity.

Second, it makes entrance into the industry difficult for women - after all, who wants to be judged or feel that they're not wanted? (Not that the Andy Grays of this world would worry too much about this).

Third, and perhaps most importantly, these views demonstrate a way of thinking that is simply incompatible with the sort of creativity required to excel in technology.

The most creative people avoid cliches at all costs. They are too restrictive and prevent progress in thought; and the idea that women and technology don't mix is one of the most outmoded ideas of them all.

Nicola Brittain, news and analysis editor