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Subject:RE: Operator vs. User From:Marguerite Krupp <mkrupp -at- cisco -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 11 Jan 2002 09:21:26 -0500
Tasos asked about the difference between "Operator" and "User", specifically
in reference to the titles of telecomms manuals.
As always, "it depends...."
In general usage, the terms are interchangeable, but "user" is generally
considered more "friendly" (that is, less formal) than "operator."
BUT...
Especially in the telecomms world, certain programs assign different levels
of privilege to "user", "operator", and "administrator". In these programs:
* An "administrator" can do anything, having the highest, most comprehensive
level of privilege.
* An "operator" has fewer privileges and is therefore allowed to do certain
functions, but not the full range that an "administrator" has.
* A "user" has the lowest level of privilege, and can generally affect only
his or her own files.
So, in this case, the book's title COULD make a difference.
In general, though, we don't create different books based on privilege
level. We simply identify which functions require which level of privilege.
A way around this is to avoid using the job description at all and focus on
the task; that is, "Using XYZ", instead of "XYZ
Operator's/User's/Administrator's Guide".
HTH,
Marguerite
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