Those parts detract from an otherwise clever story. Among the many reasons women might be uncomfortable in software -- dudes who joke about killing them.

I have no doubt that is true. Utterly unnecessary and somewhat jarring!

I can remember being made to feel uncomfortable and quite unwelcome upon witnessing a renowned female* developer and entrepreneur joke about killing a group of men who had offered advice on suitable materials for makeshift bottle openers.

* Or "chick" shudder, if we're accepting that "dude" is holding the appropriate tone for this conversation.

Even the unspoken assumption that the reader is male (okay, or lesbian) and will furthermore chucklingly identify with having a bitch ex to kill with a hammer is gross.