Tech wants women In large part because of a labor shortage, opportunities available in male-dominated IT

Industry leaders are working to change the face of the technogeek-from a guy with a pocket protector and clunky glasses to a womanarmed with a handheld computer and the latest knowledge.

"The labor shortage in technology is the best thing that happenedto women in this field," said Sheila Talton, vice president ofcritical technology practice of Chicago's Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.

"It's all about ability now and more of us need to step up andtake advantage of the opportunities," Talton said at a workshop onwomen in technology at Comdex Chicago 2001, a trade show being heldthrough today at McCormick Place.

About 425,000 information technology positions will go …