In amateur dramatics some quite, shall we say, unspecialised, people are entrusted with an LD's work and expected to run the lighting faultlessly after only one rehearsal. Unlikely to have much opportunity to play with a real theatre console, it might be good to practise on a simulator.
LXconsole could be given a 'skin' using an imagemap window depicting the keyboard layout of the desk in question, converting mouse clicks on virtual keys into commands to LXconsole. LXconsole might not support all the bells & whistles of the real console but it should handle all the functions an amateur operator should need.
As well keyboard layouts for popular consoles, it would be an even more intense learning process to have a DIY kit based on the drawing engine of LXfree to create your own layout.
Real console simulation
Most console manufacturers' consoles are proprietary. And one would argue (or a lawyer would...) that the interface was the property of the manufacturer and so it would be difficult from a legal standpoint to do as you suggest--However beneficial for everyone the result might be.
Most consoles do have offline versions that simulate the real thing already. The ETC Eos line, for example, not only has an offline version that you can download. But, there are great videos available that teach you the basics of how to use these consoles.
If you have a specific board that you'd like to have LXConsole emulate that does not have its own offline version, it is possible that we could work with that company to put a virtual faceplate on LXConsole.
LXConsole was originally envisioned as a generic USITT ASCII cue editor. And, as a potential open source project, it could serve a role that helped both manufacturers of dedicated hardware to extend users' ability to work offline and for users who need a software solution for their performance needs.
Most consoles do have offline versions that simulate the real thing already. The ETC Eos line, for example, not only has an offline version that you can download. But, there are great videos available that teach you the basics of how to use these consoles.
If you have a specific board that you'd like to have LXConsole emulate that does not have its own offline version, it is possible that we could work with that company to put a virtual faceplate on LXConsole.
LXConsole was originally envisioned as a generic USITT ASCII cue editor. And, as a potential open source project, it could serve a role that helped both manufacturers of dedicated hardware to extend users' ability to work offline and for users who need a software solution for their performance needs.