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A Title To Replace "Systems Administrator"?

Posted by timothy on from the bofh-wasn't-good-enough dept.

sjanich writes "A discussion has begun at SAGE on an updated title to replace "Systems Administrator". I figure more sysadmins are reading Slashdot than are reading SAGEwire. Rob Kolstad of SAGE wrote: 'What in the world do we call the collective group of those people who make computers work properly? I'm not talking about users, and I'm not talking about software developers. I am thinking of: system administrators, LAN administrators, network administrators (both kinds!), security administrators, e-mail administrators, desktop support groups, database administrators, and all the other kinds of support that keep the IT function of an institution running -- what is this huge group called?' My favorite options are "Computer Infrastructure Practitioner" or "Computer Infrastructure Specialist". The original discussion can be found here at SAGEwire."

50 of 681 comments (clear)

  1. A Title To Replace "Systems Administrator by Threni · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wanker?

    1. Re:A Title To Replace "Systems Administrator by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      how about just plain admin, personally it covers all the bases

    2. Re:A Title To Replace "Systems Administrator by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I was thinking more along the lines of "jerk-off who won't give me access to *"

  2. You call them... by esanbock · · Score: 5, Funny

    The unemployment line.

  3. name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    computer monkey

    1. Re:name by Blue+Stone · · Score: 2, Funny

      General
      Electronic
      Environment
      Ko-ordinator

      ?

      --
      Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
  4. Where I work.. by AsnFkr · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm known as "bitch".

    --


    adventure-today.com
    1. Re:Where I work.. by son_of_asdf · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hmmmm. At the studio that I run with my wife and two friends of ours, if everything is working, I'm "the computer guy." If something breaks and I manage to fix it quickly and without apparent effort, I'm "A Genius!". If something breaks and I have to spend the rest of the day futzing with it, I'm "a musician who fixes computers."

      --
      Don't Panic!
  5. Descriptive by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Keep it simple and descriptive:

    technological janitors.

    I never get called unless something's fucked up, and nobody gives a damn
    what I do until it's broken. My job's just about as glamorous too.

  6. Acronymtastic! by Quadrature · · Score: 5, Funny

    Network Engineering Responsive Dedicated Specialists

  7. Obvious by CodeWheeney · · Score: 5, Funny

    You shall call them Sir/Ma'am.

    --
    C8H10N4O2 | Developer > Code
  8. I already have a title... by rosewood · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just call myself a whore :(

    --
    The ultimate network admin tool needs HELP!
  9. Re:Joke by more+fool+you · · Score: 4, Funny

    like MCSE? oh, you were talking about IT

  10. BOFH by SILIZIUMM · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about BOFH ?

    1. Re:BOFH by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      What was your user name, again?

      clickity, click....

  11. Remember the Crocidile hunter? Security guys are by silvakow · · Score: 4, Funny

    John Dobson, h4x0r hunter, at your service. Aull roight, time to geht to work on this server. Oh, a skript kiddie, the worst koind!

    --
    In the long run, we're all dead.
  12. Ow Ow Ow, I Got One !! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Former Systems Administrator?

    1. Re:Ow Ow Ow, I Got One !! by SoupIsGoodFood_42 · · Score: 3, Funny
      The job in the IT field formerly knowen as Systems Administrator?

      That's a mouthfull, so we could just replace it with a symbol. Perhaps '~'?

  13. A sign (Freak on a Leash!) by B3ryllium · · Score: 2, Funny

    As soon as I saw this story, WinAmp started playing "Freak on a Leash"

  14. Re:Um... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    No. A computer tech is the guy who replaces bad modems in eMachines at Best Buy.

  15. Wait a sec... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...you guys actually get called by your title? I usually get called "the internet's down".

  16. Why not what every sysadmin wishes to be called? by Faust7 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "God."

    --
    The coolest voice ever.
  17. When you want the impossible, call upon the... by DNAspark99 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Systems Alchemist

    --

    --
    Society has traditionally always tried to find scapegoats for its problems. Well, here I am.
  18. Re:Um... by Sethb · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm always referred to as "Computer Guy" at the university where I work. A new professor shows up, and his department head says:

    "This is Seth, he's our computer guy."

    I don't think anywone knows what my actual title is, other than me, even though it's on my door, and my business card. :)

    --
    When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. --Robert A. Heinlein
  19. Re:What's wrong with the status quo? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's too much work to say it. I propose the much simpler, and more accurate, "virgin."

  20. Dang it! by Saint+Aardvark · · Score: 4, Funny

    I did not just spend two years on helpdesk so I could be a "Computer Infrastructure Practitioner". Think that's gonna scare anyone?

    --
    Carousel is a lie!
  21. BOFH by opkool · · Score: 2, Funny

    This one it's easy:

    BOFH.

    And it's a winning word for this three reasons

    1. It's an acronym (HR loves acronyms)
    2. It describes exactly your job function
    3. Nobody except BOFHers know what BOFH means

  22. In a word... by nettdata · · Score: 5, Funny

    In a word... root

    MCSE's need not apply.

    --



    $0.02 (CDN)
  23. Re:Um... by Purificator · · Score: 5, Funny

    System Templar

    this says:
    1) this guy does something with The System.
    we don't know what, but that's what he
    does. it's very accurate that way.
    2) this guy is probably crazy. avoid him.
    3) this guy will blame problems on spiritual
    forces.
    4) nothing new, but sounds cooler.

    i have it on my business card.

    --
    "Mister Potato-head --MISTER POTATO-HEAD! Backdoors are not secrets!" (War Games, 1983)
  24. Re:What's wrong with the status quo? by KilerCris · · Score: 2, Funny

    Why replace useful titles with some generic contrived name?

    Cause it's fun

  25. Mod Parent Down by jot445 · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is *NOT* funny! Not even as sarcasm.

    --
    The preceding comment has been reviewed and declared to be compliant with HIPPA Phase II regulations.
  26. How about ? by msoftsucks · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about CRAP (Computer repair and administration practitioner)? ;)

    --
    Quit playing Monopoly with Bill.
    Linux - of the people, by the people, and for the people.
  27. Re:If I ever got into the IT profession... by Colitis · · Score: 2, Funny

    > I've had no luck getting anyone to call me "The
    > Great and Terrible Root".

    Just as well really. Where I come from, root has a rather different meaning to that which it carries in other parts of the world, and to be known as a terrible root is not a good thing. ;)

  28. We could add levels like in Diablo by mabhatter654 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Level 20 Paladin of the network order. The last Worm I fought gave me +20 XP. Only need +100 to level up to 21.

    Then you have good solid industry support for your skills and a ranking system to back up the raise you want! Just like in RPG, spending all night working on patching systems would gain you more XP than just waiting for things to go wrong. You can post rankings on battle.net where everyone can see how LEET you are!

    Script kiddies could be level 1 theifs! and get XP for their expolits!

  29. BOFH by mmol_6453 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I've always wanted to be known as the Bastard Operator from Hell. After performing tech support for four years (through most of your teens), the name just draws you somehow.

    --
    What's this Submit thingy do?
  30. Orderlies by epine · · Score: 2, Funny


    The collective job is a mixture of changing the sheets, emptying the bedpans, dealing with the dilapitated, the demented and the elderly, funerals, autopsies, coroner's reports, pace makers, life support, and tense meetings with the next of kin.

    Nurses and Orderlies. But mostly orderlies. Get over it.

  31. Re:long titles == low status by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I think he's claiming he's so important that he has a zero character job description. Or maybe he just pushed SUBMIT before he

  32. How about... by tjhanley · · Score: 2, Funny

    The creepy guy with the Galadryl poster down the hall that resets my password.

    -we don't have a sysadmin.

    --
    --- /. is like tivo for news
  33. Use the Source by The+Monster · · Score: 4, Funny
    Jedi Knights.
    I can see it now: When the BSA auditor comes in...
    "These are not the servers you're looking for."
    "These are not the servers I'm looking for?"
    "We pay no license fees for Linux."
    "You pay . . . no . . . license fees for Linux?"
    "That's right. Here's a copy of the GPL to read on your way out."
    "I guess . . . that's right . . . I'll take this copy of the GPL for our attorneys to review."
    --

    [100% ISO 646 Compliant]
    SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.

  34. Re:Um... by nbvb · · Score: 4, Funny

    The difference is we call one a pimply-faced 16-year-old working so he can smoke weed on the weekends, and we call the other a professional field engineer.

  35. Dont fool yourself!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Hr are not people

  36. Re:We call them... by zero1101 · · Score: 2, Funny

    1998 just called. They asked you to send back some of the thousands of "highly desirable" out-of-work IT workers...they're in a bit of a pinch.

  37. You have a *door*? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Damn, that's sweet. I just want my stapler back.

  38. Bastard Operator from Hell by bromba · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why not to use the old and tried name for all those guys: BOFH, I say!!!

  39. Re:What's wrong with the status quo? by xaaronx · · Score: 2, Funny

    And: This is Slashdot; we must debate pointless matters. Damn it man, it's what we do!!!

    --
    It's amazing how much "mature wisdom" resembles being too tired. - Robert Anson Heinlein
  40. Expendable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    To be honest

  41. Would this new title be... by bargonzo · · Score: 2, Funny

    in place of a raise?

  42. Re:My Titles by ccbaxter · · Score: 2, Funny

    Surprised you had time to write that...

    --
    Dude, where's my Karma?
  43. Know your Unix System Administrator by hackrobat · · Score: 2, Funny

    What do you call a sysad? Depends.

    There are four major species of Unix sysad:

    1. The TECHNICAL THUG. Usually a systems programmer who has been forced into system administration; writes scripts in a polyglot of the Bourne shell, sed, C, awk, perl, and APL.
    2. The ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST. Usually a retentive drone (or rarely, a harridan ex-secretary) who has been forced into system administration.
    3. The MANIAC. Usually an aging cracker who discovered that neither the Mossad nor Cuba are willing to pay a living wage for computer espionage. Fell into system administration; occasionally approaches major competitors with indesp schemes.
    4. The IDIOT. Usually a cretin, morpohodite, or old COBOL programmer selected to be the system administrator by a committee of cretins, morphodites, and old COBOL programmers.

    HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR:
    http://www.fsf.org/fun/jokes/know.your.sysadmin.ht ml

  44. Re:My Titles by llamafresh · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sounds like you need my unofficial title:

    Designated Spearcatcher

    Or maybe I need to choose one of yours...

    llamafresh

    --
    I couldn't find a long little dogie, so I got two short ones and spliced 'em...