In the Star Trek fictional universe, LCARS (an acronym for Library Computer Access and Retrieval System, pronounced /ɛl karz/), is a fictional computer operating system depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures. Star Trek Nemesis ( 2002) is the tenth feature Film based on the Star Trek television series A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with unique background elements such as an imaginary history or geography and possibly fantasy or science A computer is a Machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions. An operating system (commonly abbreviated OS and O/S) is the software component of a Computer system that is responsible for the management and coordination Within Star Trek chronology, the term was first used in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in subsequent shows. Star Trek The Next Generation ( STTNG or TNG) is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning science fiction television program created by Gene Roddenberry In a real-world context, the term "LCARS" is frequently used to describe the style of the computer displays of the LCARS system, especially the screens from The Next Generation. The term Okudagram, named for Michael Okuda, the designer of the graphics, is also used to refer to this style. Michael Okuda is a graphic designer who is best known for his work on Star Trek. The design is popular among Star Trek fansites. A fansite or fan site (also named fanpage is a Website created and maintained by a fan (s or devotee(s interested in a Celebrity, thing or
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Production
The LCARS GUI was designed by scenic art supervisor and technical consultant Michael Okuda. Michael Okuda is a graphic designer who is best known for his work on Star Trek. The original design concept was influenced by a request from Gene Roddenberry that the instrument panels not have a great deal of activity on them. Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry (August 19 1921 &ndash October 24 1991 was an American Screenwriter and producer. This minimalized look was designed to give a sense that the technology was much more advanced than in the original Star Trek. The early display panels were made out of colored Plexiglas with light behind them. Poly(methyl methacrylate ( PMMA) or poly(methyl 2-methylpropenoate is a Thermoplastic and transparent Plastic. This can produce complex looking displays cheaply. As the show progressed there was more use of animations. Most of the animations seen on the show are displayed on video equipment built into the sets.
Real life
There have been a number of attempts at emulating the look and feel of LCARS on existing hardware and software platforms, though few are dedicated systems such as the fictional LCARS platform.
The LCARS interface has been echoed on countless websites with their own individual schemes and shape sets. However, the LCARS Standards Development Board (LCARS SDB) has set out to create a unified theme and colour set that can be downloaded and used on websites and client side applications. The LCARS SDB has existed since January 2003 and currently covers colors and components. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Other suggested standards are Layout, Sounds, Animation, and Font. The bouncing ball animation (below consists of these 6 frames In typography a font (also fount) is traditionally defined as a complete character set of a single size and style of a particular Typeface.
Trekker Reactor is an example of LCARS web implementation with the newer, blue LCARS design that was introduced in Star Trek Nemesis. The color scheme is stated in the web site's database as well as simple design tips. Trekker Reactor also features original LCARS sounds.
One attempt at making a usable and practical LCARS environment for existing hardware is the LCARS 24 project by Bill Morris. LCARS 24 is a GUI desktop environment inspired by the LCARS interface found in Star Trek. The project currently exists on top of an existing operating system such as FreeDOS or FreeDOS32 and is a viable alternative to shell emulators. FreeDOS (formerly Free-DOS and PD-DOS) is an Operating system for IBM PC compatible computers An emulator duplicates (provides an emulation of the functions of one System using a different system so that the second system behaves like (and appears to The platform comes with a set of games, utilities, and other enhancements that provide functionality similar to earlier Windows and Mac versions.
Another LCARS implementation has been done in the free German DOS based operating system DESKWORK, which shows a user interface very similar to the "Okudagrams" (screenshots) and uses an own metadata-based file system called LCARS.
In an attempt to bridge the gap between the LCARS system and the communicator and tricorder - an LCARS theme was designed for the portable Nokia N800 / N810.
References
- Star Trek: The Magazine, Issue 7, November 1999
See also
External links
- LCARS article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki
- Working LCARS from all series
- LCARS Standards Development Board
- Trekker Reactor LCARS Web Implementation