LCARS numbers

[m021]

On LCARS panels/consoles the commands exist of numbers instead of text.
Like this:



But what do that numbers mean?

[starnova]

its just a bunch of jib jab

[sabertooth1217]

[Five - seveN]

I always found this weird. I mean, why don't they just make a more intu�tive graphic interface...? Pictures mean much more to the human brain than numbers do. And so do words. So... Even the Trek writers probably didn't expect the development of computers to be that fast

[starnova]

i think it should be more in text

[Zeke Zabertini]

I haven't got a good answer, but my best guess has always been that it's so they can serve multiple functions. For instance, instead of having the word "load torpedo" on a button on the tactical console, it would have the number "54-823" However, if the helm console was destroyed and the security officer had to take over maneuvering, he could re-route helm control to his console. "54-823" then might represent "port thrusters." See what I'm getting at? It's a weak explanation, I know, but it's the best I can do.

[admiral]

maybe the numbers correspond with some sort of a rule for example
pj600 = malfunction in gelpack

[The_Doctor]

I have a feeling when produciton designers needed to come up with consoles, they had limited computer knowledge and drew something that would look modern for a 1980's show. The layout and colors just look very 80ish to me, lol.

[Tremiles]

[m021]

Yeah, but come on: what normal person is able to remind the meaning of all those numbers? This seems far too risky:

"Hold on, I'll attach a tractor beam to your vessel"
*presses 51-742, and sees the alien vessel explode on the viewscreen*
"Ah, I remember again, 51-742 was the torpedo launchers"

[Tremiles]

But it is the future, they are smarter then us

[scar774]

if u look closely there are leters on some

[starnova]

but its still too complicated to memorize
or at least it is to me

[Tremiles]

I'v had to memorise entire keyboard controles for certain games, were moves were compleetly unrelated to the leters they were on, it is not that dificult. you just have to remember placement and use the letter, or in Lcars case numbers as reference only if you forget. but it is not to complicated, and if you use it all the time it becomes second nature.

[InterstellarCrazed]

[tycoon64]

Heres the funny thing about Star Trek. Everything has some meaning that they hired people to create. For example- Klingon is a language that was created, The stardate system does have meaning (even if most cant find it), and the LCARS system has some sort of meaning. That is what makes Star TRek so believeable, everything is consistant. If things where confusing most people would probaly not watch it.

[Dr. Daystrom]

On the working LCARS system LCARS 24, they do have meaning, clear enough in this example:

[Cathexis]

The above LCARS reminds me of HTML color codes lmao....

I was thinking that maybe it's about memorizing which codes correspond to which controls...and if you notice, we did the same thing with the Periodic Table of the Elements in Chemistry, we worked with it so much that by the end of the year we could tell you which element was where and all the information about it, etc...same thing for LCARS? The more you work with it (i.e. LCARS at Starfleet Academy as a Cadet), the more familiar you become with it so that when you are finally at a console on a ship in reality, you've memorized all the codes and controls???

Okay..am I making any sense here?