alt Hacker NewsA computer operator is someone who maintains the operation of a computer system and schedules programs submitted by users.
It’s mostly a dead profession that has been automated by operating systems.
Honestly neither programmer or user have negative connotations to me. They both imply an active role when interacting with the computer. The term I _really_ hate that’s getting way too commonly thrown around lately is consumer.
They would also once in a while fix a script. I started out as an operator. You also forgot load mag tapes :)