In today’s issue of In Layman’s Terms, we’re going to be looking at a few pieces of terminology related to authority in the computer world. Those of you who are looking for a highly technical piece should probably look elsewhere- today’s issue’s going to be a pretty simple affair. Let’s get started.
Administrator: Where websites, webforums, and online games are concerned, administrators are the people who run the show. They keep everything moving smoothly, manage user disputes and user issues(though they usually defer this task to the mods), and manage updates, news, content…et-cetera. Basically, they’re the top managers of a website or web forum.
Moderator: Moderators are generally one step down from admins. They’ve still got quite a bit of authority, but a mod usually helps out an administrator- it’s their job to pick up some of the admin’s workload so that they don’t get overwhelmed. Usually, there tend to be more moderators than administrators. Usually, moderators are the ones who most commonly associate with the end user, while admins only get involved if the situation gets serious. The position differs from an administrative one in that they aren’t usually responsible for managing an entire system.
Sysop: A System Operator is just that- someone who operates a website, forum, platform or game client. Whereas mods and admins tend to associate with their userbase, sysops work strictly behind the scenes, taking care of the technical stuff. Occasionally, a user might need to contact them if they’ve run into serious trouble with the client they’re using.
GM: In the context of online gaming, GM refers to “Game Master.” It’s basically another word for a moderator. They help out players who are having trouble- either with another player or with the game client itself. They don’t run the show, but they exist to help everybody’s experience go a bit smoother.
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