How to fix the holographic displays in Picard

[fireproof78]

As someone who's designed a lot of GUIs for video and computer games I can tell you that most of what passes for such things in sci-fi is rubbish.

Yup.

 

[Blip]

I don't for a second think that the holo controls Rios is employing are going to be used in every application. I think there is a lot of generalizing regarding tech used on a specific ship customized by a specific person.

I'm not generalizing; I'm simply pointing out the flaw in your citing the emergence of VR tech as justification for use of holo controls aboard La Sirena.

That said, the production team do appear to be shoehorning those holo interfaces all over the place regardless of suitability; this is certainly including, but absolutely not limited to, La Sirena's bridge.

 

[Tuskin38]

I imagine one of the forward consoles could be configured to be helm for captains that don't want to control the ship themselves.

Hell his holo interface might be custom because he doesn't have a crew, and maybe doesn't trust, or just doesn't want a hologram/computer to fly it.

 

[Blip]

I figured the helm was just either a civilian knock-off of (or maybe even upcycled?) antique Starfleet tech anyway, since apart from the touchscreens/holos it looks like something that would fit neatly between ENT and TOS...

 

[Sci]

I figured the helm was just either a civilian knock-off of (or maybe even upcycled?) antique Starfleet tech anyway, since apart from the touchscreens/holos it looks like something that would fit neatly between ENT and TOS...

Oh, I dunno. That warp drive system is pretty small and pretty fast for something from between ENT and TOS. I just always figured it was a cheap, bare-bones 24th Century civilian cargo ship that was never given a lot of amenities.

 

[Blip]

Oh, I dunno. That warp drive system is pretty small and pretty fast for something from between ENT and TOS. I just always figured it was a cheap, bare-bones 24th Century civilian cargo ship that was never given a lot of amenities.

I'm referring specifically to the helm console.

 

[fireproof78]

I'm not generalizing; I'm simply pointing out the flaw in your citing the emergence of VR tech as justification for use of holo controls aboard La Sirena.

I don't think the emergence of VR tech is justification. I think that hologram tech being in Star Trek pretty much does that.

 

[Blip]

I don't think the emergence of VR tech is justification. I think that hologram tech being in Star Trek pretty much does that.

You literally cited the current trend of VR. If you intended to do something else you'll have to be more clear.

Besides which, the mere presence of holotechnology in Trek as a whole does not in itself justify its illogical, ill-conceived depiction by the STP showrunners.

 

[fireproof78]

You literally cited the current trend of VR. If you intended to do something else you'll have to be more clear.

That people move their hands around to control technology. Apologies if I wasn't clear.

Though I did reference moving hands in my post. I don't know how I could have been more clear...

Besides which, the mere presence of holotechnology in Trek as a whole does not in itself justify its illogical, ill-conceived depiction by the STP showrunners.

I disagree for a wide number of reasons. Mileage will vary at this point because apparently the holograms are so egregious in their execution that people cannot fathom someone actually liking them!

 

[TRON JA307020]

EC Henry has a great video on what is wrong with the holographic displays in Picard and how to fix them.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

He makes a good point that we've seen back in TNG and Voyager that holograms can be solid. So why not use holograms that look like solid consoles?

I love his idea of essentially making the bridge a holodeck and being able to materialize chairs and solid consoles in any configuration you want or need. For example, he mentions that instead of Picard complaining about the unfamiliar holographic displays, he should have been able to materialize TNG style consoles that he would have been more familiar with. It makes sense and it would have been really nostalgic to see.

I completely agree. I watched this video a few weeks ago. The hologram consoles in Picard look like any other sci fi movie or tv show. It’s tired, cliched, cheap and a boring effect.

I love how EC made his own effect within minutes. It was to prove wrong to anyone who loves the effect and thinking that it takes a genius in effects to pull it off. Lol

 

[TRON JA307020]

LCARS was mostly static displays pretending to be touchscreen technology, when touchscreen technology was futuristic rather than commonplace. That's not going to cut it today. I accept the holo-controls as the next step forward in trying to keep Trek looking futuristic, regardless of whether they'd actually be practical.

It’s looks cheap. Also the whole waving you’re hand around and then adding the graphics just looks stupid. The marvel movies while not the first to do this have made the holo touch super popular in everything. So know Star Trek Picard just looks like a cheap knock off. I say bring back lcars.

 

[Blip]

That people move their hands around to control technology. Apologies if I wasn't clear.

Though I did reference moving hands in my post. I don't know how I could have been more clear...

People have to move their hands to use almost any interface. You still wouldn't want to use a mouse to control a moving vehicle, nor would you use cursor keys to draw in photoshop - and the simple issues of ergonomics and RSI risks alone means you wouldn't want to use midair holo-interfaces to type a lengthy letter. Do you get my point?

I disagree for a wide number of reasons. Mileage will vary at this point because apparently the holograms are so egregious in their execution that people cannot fathom someone actually liking them!

Whether you like them is entirely your choice and I really, truly don't mind in the slightest, but it's nevertheless irrelevant in the context of a thread which is quite clearly about improving the interfaces. I myself already commented with ideas on how to do so that didn't involve scrapping them entirely, but you've done nothing but try to defend the things. Apparently you can't fathom that we don't all have to applaud poorly executed, generic sci-fi tropes...?

 

[TRON JA307020]

On that note, I'll answer your previous question.

We understand. We just don't give a shit.

then why are you on this thread?

People have to move their hands to use almost any interface. You still wouldn't want to use a mouse to control a moving vehicle, nor would you use cursor keys to draw in photoshop - and the simple issues of ergonomics and RSI risks alone means you wouldn't want to use midair holo-interfaces to type a lengthy letter. Do you get my point?



Whether you like them is entirely your choice and I really, truly don't mind in the slightest, but it's nevertheless irrelevant in the context of a thread which is quite clearly about improving the interfaces. I myself already commented with ideas on how to do so that didn't involve scrapping them entirely, but you've done nothing but try to defend the things. Apparently you can't fathom that we don't all have to applaud poorly executed, generic sci-fi tropes...?

yeah it’s definitely a generic sci fi trope. It’s a cheap effect that lazy and not so creative effects teams do now a days. Honestly what is even the advantage of having a holographic display right in the helm? There is no advantage.

 

[fireproof78]

then why are you on this thread?


yeah it’s definitely a generic sci fi trope. It’s a cheap effect that lazy and not so creative effects teams do now a days. Honestly what is even the advantage of having a holographic display right in the helm? There is no advantage.

Because at some point the nitpicky bull shit needs to be called out for what it is.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Because at some point the nitpicky bull shit needs to be called out for what it is.

So what is it?

 

[fireproof78]

So what is it?

Nitpicky bull shit.

 

[The Old Mixer]

then why are you on this thread?

 

[Blip]

Because at some point the nitpicky bull shit needs to be called out for what it is.

My my, someone clearly places a high value on their own opinion...

I'm sorry if your standards are so low that you consider a desire for quality to be "nitpicky." Luckily, you're not the arbiter of what gets to be debated - despite your apparent delusions to the contrary.

And if we're going to talk about "bullshit", then let's begin with those who enter a pretty constructively-titled thread with no intention other than to discourage the discussion, simply because "Waaa! Waaa! You won't swallow the Star Trek I like!"

 

[fireproof78]

I have discussed at length.

 

[Blip]

I have discussed at length.

While I wasn't specifically calling out all of your posts, I also note that you didn't want to discuss improving the depiction - merely to try to justify it (as I already pointed out). And then when that failed, you turned to petty hyperbole and insinuated a lack of tolerance on the part of others.