A sysop (pronounced /ˈsɪsɒp/, an abbreviation of system operator) is an administrator of a multi-user computer system, such as a bulletin board system (BBS) or an online service virtual community.

Co-sysops were users who were granted certain admin privileges on a BBS. Generally, they would help validate users and monitor discussion forums. Some served as file clerks, describing and inserting newly arrived shareware, Freeware, and other files into appropriate download directories.

Historically, the term system operator applied to operators of any computer system, especially a mainframe computer. In general, a sysop is a person who oversees the operation of a server, typically in a large computer system. Usage of the term peaked in the late 1980s, mostly in reference to BBS operators. A person with equivalent functions on the Internet is typically called a "sysadmin", short for system administrator.

[edit] External links

• Novell's Discussion Forum SysOps migrated from Compuserve in the mid 1990s to Internet based discussions

[edit] See also

• Internet slang
• Neologism
• Network administrator
• Online service provider
• Virtual community

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