A sysop (, ; an abbreviation of system operator, and sometimes further abbreviated to just op) is an administrator of a multi-user computer system, such as a bulletin board system (BBS) or an online service virtual community. The phrase may also be used to refer to administrators of other Internet-based network services. Sysops typically do not earn money, but donate their activity to the community.
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 became popular in the late 1980s and 1990s, originally in reference to BBS operators.
See also
- IRCop
- Internet slang
- Jargon
- Jargon File
- Network administrator
- Online service provider
- Virtual community