Besides the technical aspects, I would say that one of the most important factors for many girl gamers is community. Girl gamers need a place to call "home." Some prefer to socialize, some just want to dominate the competition and some want everything in between.

Here are some tips to help you find gaming buddies and start having fun:

If you're interested in joining a group, like a clan, do some research. Ask other gamers, go to clan forums online or do an internet search for game groups for your particular game of choice. Reputation is key. What other people have experienced with these groups is close to what you'll get from the clan, so follow their advice.

Send "friend requests" to gamers you enjoy playing with. If you had fun playing with someone, make sure you extend those offers of friendship so you can have more fun in the future.

Don't let the smack-talk bring you down. Many people like to hide behind the anonymity of their headsets; just don't give in to their tactics. You can either mute the player or mute your microphone and vent anonymously. Whatever happens, don't encourage their negative comments. Let them sink in their own pool of poor sportsmanship and tasteless tactics.