Basic Trope: The computer interfaces of a futuristic setting have user interfaces comparable to that of the 80s or 90s.
- Straight: An advanced spaceship uses a computer with an interface comparable to 1980s monochrome monitors.
- Exaggerated: An advanced spaceship doesn't even have graphics: the computers are completely analog.
- Downplayed: The user interfaces look comparable to a user interface from the Noughties, but not extremely out of date.
- Justified:
- The scenario is one where functionality is preferable to looks.
- This server doesn't need a local graphical interface, that's for the computers that hook up to it.
- Advanced computers were lost in the apocalypse.
- If a computer can run video games, there's always the temptation to install them. Ergo, the Command Center computers can't handle Pac-Man, let alone anything modern. Computers that can are consigned to the rec room. Not that it stops the crew from trying to get them to play Doom as a challenge.
- The computer is used for a Retro-Jam, as limitation breeds creativity.
- The user is a system administrator who finds command line far easier to use for his purposes.
- Inverted: The Apollo spacecraft has access to advanced 3-D holography in the 70s.
- Subverted:
- Though it may seem primitive at first, the spaceship, for example because she is a warship, only uses said graphics because function comes before form. Civilian computers make use of far more advanced interfaces.
- The computer is running in Safe Mode.
- The computer is using the GenericVGA driver instead of one supplied by NVidia. note
- Double Subverted: Though they aren't as advanced as our, modern day interfaces.
- Parodied: The spaceship runs an early version of macOS, which conflicts with the government's use of Windows 95.
- Zig Zagged: Some computers look modern, others look primitive.
- The computer has a variety of interface modes which drastically vary in appearance. Sometimes it is full VR. Other times it is just command line or
- Averted:
- The user interfaces look relatively modern.
- There are no computers in the setting.
- Enforced:
- The work was made in the 70s or 80s, and they didn't have the budget for special effects.
- Zeerust Canon demands even modern sequels/prequels honor the "aesthetic" of the original, whose once cutting-edge graphics are now painfully dated.
- Lampshaded: "Man, our graphics really suck. Not at all how they predicted it would look like."
- Invoked: Too flashy user interfaces distract the crew of the spaceship, so they design it to look boring and outdated to maximize productivity.
- Exploited: With primitive interfaces, the crew is unable to detect the virus The Mole plants in the system.
- Alternatively, as said interfaces are ill-suited for 3-D it impairs the ship's performance in space combat.
- Defied: Scientists are tired of seeing the same old graphics and invent a newer, flashier interface.
- Discussed:An engineer: "Should we update the ship's old computer interface to the advanced, holographic, one used by non-military ships?. Combat performance could improve as it's much more intuitive."Ship captain: "No. It would distract the crew, consumes much more system resources, and it's not as robust as the current one. We cannot risk a system crash in the middle of a battle."
- Conversed: ???
> CD ../MAIN
