Computer Engineer Barbie, unveiled at Toy Fair early this year to the gasps and exclamations of the media and the online community as Barbie (now well into her 50s) embarks on a new career following the results of a democratic ‘voters poll’.

In case you’ve missed the early previews, Barbie will now come complete with binary-themed clothing, pink netbook, stylish pink spectacles and a fetching bluetooth ear piece. (How come she isn’t on a mac?)

But I’m not quite sure how I feel about Computer Engineer Barbie. I know many women working in the industry through our links with Girl Geek Dinners and BarCamps, have attended events where talk about shoes and tech sit side by side, but most of them don’t wear pink or have hair quite so quaffed. So, as a member of the geek squad, do i fell patronised?

Let’s be honest, Barbie is hardly a role model that we can all live upto? If Computer Engineer Barbie was full size, she’d stand out like a sore thumb at a geek event … but then wouldn’t she anywhere? From Vet Barbie to Astronaut Barbie – those blond locks and impressive vital statistics would leave most normal people feeling like they were in the presence of a supernatural goddess.

But despite appearences, to me Barbie has never been just about the way she looks. Barbie is an ambassador for women, crashing though glass ceilings and breaking down gender barriers and egnighting a spark of possibility in the imagination of youngsters.

So, I’m welcoming Barbie, not because of the way she looks – but because if there’s a chance that a child playing with the doll might start to open their mind to a world of new opportunities then whatever she’s wearing, she’s part of the gang.

For that reason alone, my 3 year old niece will be getting one for Christmas – but please, don’t tell her!