If you want your daughter to be as proficient as boys on the computers, start with chat rather than programming.

The new pink Barbie computer just hit the market and ``Barbie Fashion Designer'' and Purple Moon's ``The Rockett,'' featuring junior high scenarios, have been on the shelves of software game aisles for nearly two years.

But boys still outnumber girls in computer science classes. Girls are more likely to take clerical data-entry classes while boys take advanced programming and graphics courses. Girls consistently rate themselves lower than boys on computer ability and self-confidence with technology. And girls use computers less often than boys outside of school, according to researchers for the American Association of University Women.

The statistic that counts, however, said AAUW researchers, is that men far outnumber women in higher-paying science and technology jobs. In 1998, two out of three minimum-wage jobs _ generally low- or no-tech jobs _ were held by women, according to AAUW.

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