I’m so glad that I read Beverley Briggs’ article “Doing it for myself” (25 October). I had been considering buying a professional digital SLR camera, but they’re made of hard black plastic and have lots of buttons. I now know that this means they are for boys and, as a girl, I should be buying a bright pink compact camera (pony-shaped if at all possible).

Sarcasm aside, why did Ms Briggs feel the need to add an incredibly sexist comment when her piece would have made just as much sense without it? As I believe in educating rather that arguing, Ms Briggs, listen up: the shape of a games console controller and the placement of its buttons are based on years of research into what fits human hands best. There are no instructions because the buttons’ functions change according to what game is being played. Controllers are usually neutrally coloured so that they appeal to as many people as possible. However, it is possible to buy them in all manner of colours, and to cover them in stickers called “skins” featuring video game characters or even, you guessed it, ponies.

Rosie Spink, Primary BA student, London.