The SysOp Behind the Screen

A SysOp (system operator) was the heart of a bulletin board. The SysOp installed the BBS software, configured hardware, set access levels, approved uploads and made sure callers had a place to meet.

Running a multi-line board might require special hardware and multiple phone lines; running a small board could be as simple as one computer and one modem. Building well-organized conferences and collecting good shareware could make a board locally famous.

The title 'SysOp' lives on as a tribute to those who built early online communities, often without commercial backing.