LCARS & Finger Grease?

[Mytran]

Or maybe the TOS jellies were like the Art Lebedev keyboards where the buttons had mini display screens that changed context based on what you were doing?

https://www.artlebedev.com/optimus/popularis/

I think this is likely, plus the shiny black surfaces surrounding the buttons could easily be information readout displays.

There has to be more than meets the eye. After all, 24 basic buttons is just way too few for Sulu to control all ship functions from!

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Sulu only needed to control the CONN station, given modern day game pad inputs, 24 buttons is realistically possible to manuever a ship in 3D, there has to be some computer assist.

But I'm pretty sure there are more than meets the eye.

 

[Mytran]

Sulu's console is the Helm, not the CONN. Get away with your 24th century lingo!

As such, he doesn't just steer the ship. He also controls the weapons, handles ship security and whatever else the script requires

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Sorry, I love the 24th century and want the universe to move past it =D

 

[Mytran]

Sorry, I love the 24th century and want the universe to move past it =D

In that we reach, brother!