Bastard Operator From Hell


'Operator' (or 'systems operator' or 'sysop') is a historical term for what we'd today call a Sys Admin; basically, a bitter, twisted individual who is responsible for the care and feeding of a computer, and in particular, for ruthlessly protecting it from its users. The Bastard Operator From Hell is a kind of Sys Admin folk legend: the meanest, most devious operator of them all, one whose cruelty to users is an inspiring example.

Read <http://bofh.ntk.net/Bastard7.html> for a transcript of the BOFH training a junior operator. In particular, the following questions posed to the novice, with correct answers:

Ob Charlie Stross?: The marked resemblance to the actions of Mini Love? in 'Nineteen Eighty Four' is given a twist in Charlie Stross' story 'Big Brother Iron?' (working title: 'The BOFH in the land of 1984').

Surely you mean Mini Luv??

Could be. ISTR that 'Mini Love?' is the plain english term, whereas 'Mini Luv?' is New Speak?.

Category Geekery


Tue, 06 May 2003 09:04:02 GMT Front Page Recent Changes Message Of The Day