faq

LCARS is the abbreviation for Library Computer Access andRetrieval System, which is the name given to the main computer system aboard Federation starships. The massive computer system aboard these starships contain virtually the sum of every piece of recorded information, a vital resource to a ship on detached duty.Crew interface with the main computer is provided by the LCARS software displayed in the same manner as this site. By simple pressing of buttons the user can navigate through the entire database with the least amount of difficulty.

About the LCARSComNetThis site is a tribute to Star Trek, its creators and to the dreamers….

I started this site back in July of 1997 simply as a list of my favorite Star Trek links. I showed it to a friend of mine and he suggested I make an actual Star Trek site (thanks Mike!) and I told him I would give it a try, but not to expect much…

My first version of this site was online in August of 1997 on AOL’s 2mb per screen name server. Since then, this site has grown from the measly 2MB to over 1000MB and 1600 pages! I couldn’t and wouldn’t have done it except for the help and encouragement of those who visit my site. Thanks everyone.

I would like to extend a special thank you to the following people:

• April: my wife who wasn’t originally a fan… 😉

• Mike and Rick: friends who have offered suggestions, been a sounding board, and who just told me “no, that looks crappy, do this instead.”

• Danny: who helped me bring this site into the 21st (or rather 24th) century…

• The Keepers of the Flame: you’ve kept my interest this long – be sure you keep up the good work.

• Gene Roddenberry: without him, this would probably would have been a (shudder) Pokemon site…

Thanks everyone.

FAQ’s of the LCARSComNetAre you still maintaining this website? It looks like it hasn’t been updated in quite a while. The tables are off and there have been no contests in forever. WTF is going on?
Heh… I’m still here. I’m slowly learning CSS as to redo the tables… HTML 5 doesn’t like table lengths, so this old dog is having to learn a few new tricks. And since I only use notepad to edit the HTML, it’ll take a while. As for the contests, I think I’ll have a new one closer to the holidays.Why do I get the message: “Internet Explorer restricted this webpage from running scripts or ActiveX content.”
I have no damaging content that can be downloaded – the browser is just being safe.

How do you make your LCARS Panels? Can I download them from somewhere/is there a template I can use?
I made my LCARS panels by watching the shows that showed LCARS panels and by reading all the Star Trek books with LCARS panel images within and using my imagination from there. And no, there is not a LCARS downloadable template you can download from what I know. And if there was, I would not advise using it — I believe it would deter from one’s site originality.

Will you help me give my site an LCARS look? Will you make me a Flash Movie? Will you help me with my LCARS Flash?
Unfortunately, I can’t. I don’t even have enough time to work on my site as much as I’d like – and I still have much to do with it.

How did you make that awesome intro movie?
The intro movie use Flash/Macromedia technology. A friend was kind enough to help me in its production — so unfortunately I am unable to give help in that regard.

Can you explain your text color scheme to me?
The primary text color is the ORANGE you see here with the secondary color in the above yellow. Clickable links are PURPLE(except here).

Can I have permission to use your ___ for my own Star Trek site?
In short, no. When I started out making my site, I wanted it to have a look of originality. Yes, the LCARS look is done a lot, but if you make your own graphics/sounds/information, it can be original. And although I have no real way to prevent you from using something from my site, visitors to your site will think you less than original for using something from another’s site. The biggest problem on the net with Star Trek sites is the lack of originality. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of original sites out there, but people need to create their own material for their site as opposed to using what they feel is “cool” off another’s.

Can you send me the source Flash files you used?
No, I cannot — they are an in house resource and cannot be shared.

I saw another site with your graphics that I don’t think asked your permission to use. Should I tell you about it?
Yes, but also send them an e-mail to let them know you like how they copied graphics off the LCARSCom.Net and ask them if they were not able to come up with anything original.

What are the color codes for the LCARS look?

What font are you using for your LCARS look?
It is SWISS 911 Ultra Compressed BT (TrueType), and you can download it here.How do you make your LCARS buttons change color when you hover over them?
The buttons change colors with the use of JavaScript. I would suggest checking out JavaScript for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide. They are the companion site to the great book JavaScript for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart Guide, 3rd Edition, by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith.

Can I submit pictures, videos, Database articles, etc for use on the site?
Yes, and I will give you credit for what you submitted, if they are used. For us to use the images, they must be original in nature, not cut and pasted from the images already posted.

Can I link to your downloads and put them on my site?
No. A lot of hard work has been put into what the LCARSComNet has to offer, and most of it is unique, and I’d like it to stay that way.

Can I put a link to your site / a banner of yours on my site?
Please. And if you do add a link, let me know so I can put a link to your site on mine. And I have several banners below to choose from.

Can we exchange banners?
Because of the enormous amount of space all the banners submitted to me would take up, the answer is no.

I noticed ___ has different information listed from ___. Why are they different?
Because of different facts presented at different times throughout the show’s history, TPTB have often contradicted themselves. These contradictions can be found within various statistics about the ships, characters, planets, etc.

Where can I purchase a PADD like the one you are holding in your photo?
I sometimes have them in my 24th Century Store – so keep checking often!

Why don’t you have information about ___ on your site?
Well, I am just one person and have a life outside of this site. If you want to send me some information that I am missing, please do — I am always looking to make the LCARSCom.Net bigger and better!

More when I get them….

Various information found within my site has been taken from:The Star Trek Encyclopedia – A Reference Guide to the Future, All Versions
by Michael Okuda, Denise Okuda and Debbie Mirek
© Simon & Schuster Interactive, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.Star Trek: The Next Generation – Interactive Technical Manual for the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D (The Official Starfleet Virtual Tour)
© Simon & Schuster Interactive, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Technical Manual
by Herman Zimmerman, Rick Sternbach, and Doug Drexler
© Paramount Pictures

And all the many other sources Star Trek
by all those who work on Star Trek
© Paramount Pictures

The remainder of the information found within my site has been borrowed from various sources on the Internet, the multiple versions of the Star Trek television series and the multiple motion pictures.

Star Trek, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and all associated marks, images and characteristics are registered trademarks of Paramount Pictures, all rights reserved. The LCARS system is based upon the designs of Michael Okuda and his Okudagrams.

And Lastly…If you noticed a lack of pop-up banners (as seems the norm for most the more popular Star Trek sites these days), it’s because this site is run out out of pocket and out of love for Star Trek. So if you feel the need to aid in this site’s continuation without pop-up banners, there are several ways you can do this:

• Visit the 24th Century Store (and buy something). 
• Win one of my eBay Auctions. 
• Make a donation through PayPal.

All donations are sincerely appreciated and will be used for the continuation of this site.

Thanks for visiting,

Sean P. Stephenson
Webmaster,
The LCARS Computer Network