# moderater vs. Administrator **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 15, 2000, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442 "2000-06-15T04:28:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/1 "2000-06-15T04:28:07Z")
so what’s the difference between them. i think i remember a mod saying they can’t ban anyone and admins can, but there’s got to be more. i’m just curious. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/2 "2000-06-15T04:45:46Z")
We could tell you, but then we’d have to shoot you. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/3 "2000-06-15T12:21:35Z")
Moderators moderate; administrators administer. ---
**Author:** ![MattTheCroc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MattTheCroc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MattTheCroc)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/4 "2000-06-15T12:32:36Z")
Errmm… from my experience at other boards (might not apply here), Admins can create/delete boards, ban people etc, plus do everything moderators can in every forum. Moderators are limited to (generally) a single forum, and can only close threads, edit messages, and other minor functions. Prob’ly left something out, but hey. Close enough, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/5 "2000-06-15T12:51:57Z")
Admins=Don Corleone Mods=Guido ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/6 "2000-06-15T13:35:21Z")
Oh, hell. Is THIS all? I came here expecting a mud-wrassling match between **Alphagene** and **CKDextHavn.** ---
**Author:** ![Norway\_Maple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e47c2d/32.png) [@Norway\_Maple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norway_Maple)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/7 "2000-06-15T20:45:57Z")
I’m serious, I want to know. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/8 "2000-06-15T21:23:36Z")
If you really need to know, try the dictionary. There’s all kinds of words and stuff in there. ---
**Author:** ![Sadderbut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sadderbut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sadderbut)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/9 "2000-06-15T21:41:58Z")
I guess you just told me, didn’t you? ---
**Author:** ![CatsPaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CatsPaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatsPaw)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/10 "2000-06-15T22:19:53Z")
Stung? Get over it. Lots of stung here. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2000, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/11 "2000-06-15T22:56:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > I guess you just told me, didn’t you? > \*\* Could you have clicked in the wrong window . Surely you should be answering as Maple Norway ? And yes I will call you Surely. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/12 "2000-06-16T05:44:11Z")
oh come on. can we get into details here? so far mattthecroc had the best post and it wasn’t even close to answering my questions. and yes i know the meaning of the titles, i want to know the abilities and responsabilities of mods and admins on SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/13 "2000-06-16T07:00:13Z")
Well, I’m just wondering when the Moderator Mark III will be released. See, an “Administrator” is just a “Moderator Mark II”. The new model, which has just been announced to be called the “Wookydooky Foodoodle”, will have powers FAAAAR beyond the abilities of any mere Administrator. Among those will be the power to teleport chocolate directly from any location to the Wookydooky Foodoodle’s location. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/14 "2000-06-16T16:13:20Z")
Seriously, consider it a matter of oversight. Moderators have responsibility for their individual forums. Administrators are the utility infielders of the SDMB; they can do anything a moderator can, but in EVERY forum. Administrators are also responsible for, well, administrative duties as needed. This includes handling user problems with registration, arbitrating disputes, and, when necessary, serving as the Angel of Death. Hope this clears it all up for you. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![SoxFan59](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@SoxFan59](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoxFan59)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/15 "2000-06-16T21:58:44Z")
Angel of Death? That’s why I’ve got the blood smeared on my door frame. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2000, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderater-vs-administrator/22442/16 "2000-06-17T02:20:43Z")
This is SUCH a total hijack, but it is SO good to see you, dear heart. your humble TubaDiva