Net Terms 07-28-97

Sysop (system operator)

A sysop is the person who runs a computer server.  The term is used
mainly in the world of bulletin board services (BBSs).  In general, a 
sysop or system operator is one who runs the day-to-day operation of 
a server and the term suggests a person who is available when the 
system is.

A related term is administrator.  In larger computer systems, the 
administrator manages security and user access while a system operator 
monitors and performs routine operations at the computer.  In smaller 
systems, the administrator and sysop tend to be the same person.

* * *

Server

In the context of the Web, a server is a computer that's connected to 
the Internet.  It "serves" Web pages to people who request them.

A server exists with relation to one or more clients.  Typically on 
the Internet, a larger, more powerful computer (such as a mainframe 
computer) is a server, and a smaller computer (a workstation at an 
office, for example) is a client.  However, the reverse can be true, 
depending on the service being rendered.