I read an article today, online, from a gentleman who claimed he was going to put to rest the debate of Star Wars vs. Star Trek, which is better?

Well, after reading the article, which was in my opinion, very poorly written, and very poorly detailed-with little real evidence. One or two examples, and his opinion was decided.

Well, although this is a neverending debate, I feel, as a fan of both franchises, that I can support the pros, and cons (though few) of both.

I will say up front, that Star Wars is my favorite, and not for any comparable reason, I just prefer it. But Star Trek is also something I enjoy watching.

But here, I will compare the two-to the best of my abilities, using some of the same themes to compare as the author of the online article.

Movies
True, Star Trek has more, but not by many now that the prequels are completed. I liked the Star Trek movies as a whole, but would only freely choose to watch a few. The major problem with the ST movies, is that they have ended on such a sour note, poor Data being destroyed. If another ST:TNG movie were to be made, I don't know how it would come back from such a terrible ending in Nemisis.
Whereas Star Wars movies, save The Phantom Menace, I could watch over and over again. But, even now, The Phantom Menace is growing on me, a little bit at a time. And with Star Wars, there is redemption. Even though we really don't know what happens after RotJ (unless you read the EU, but many don't consider that "official events"), you know the "good guys" won, and Darth Vader found his way back from the dark side. If nothing else, there is redemption.
The special effects in Star Trek have made the same journey as those in Star Wars, the first 6 movies utilizing some of the same techiniques as the OT Star Wars films. But Star Wars also has the upper hand here, because the forward progress GL has made with digital photography and blue/greenscreen is incredible. I will admit, I wasn't too fond of the "cartoony" look of Episodes I and II, but I think the digital world was best represented in Episode III. It was the most real. I still prefer the "grittiness" of the OT, but I'm glad the CG worlds finally appear realistically.
Winner=Star Wars

Television
Star Trek definately has the upper hand when it comes to the Television arena. With 5 successful Television shows spanning four decades, there's really not much competition. The height of the Star Trek TV franchise, in my opinion, was The Next Generation, and Deep Space 9. I admit I never was a fan of The Original Series, and I couldn't get interested in Voyager, or Enterprise. But with The Clone Wars thus far being the only Star Wars Television show to compare to Star Trek, as wonderful as The Clone Wars are, I am afraid they can't compare to five very successful series runs (two of which ran for seven seasons). If a Star Wars TV series comes to fruition, like the rumors and insinuations appear to indicate, this greatly tipped scale may become slightly more evened out. But Star Trek has the great advantage in Television.
Winner=Star Trek

Heroes
This is where the waters get muddied. Really, all this is based on personal taste. There is no real answer to which is ultimately better, but we always try to prove it.
Star Trek has no shortage of heroes. Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty; Captain Picard, Riker, Data, Worf; Sisco, Kira, Odo, Dax; Captain Janeway and all the others from Voyager and Enterprise (forgive me, I don't know names!). All were heroes in one way or another. All fought many enemies, and in most cases, did some good to further the cause of "man" in the endless space.
Star Wars, though just a few less heroes in number, collectively they accomplished more in the 30 years the Saga covers than the hundreds of years Star Trek spans. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissean, C-3PO and R2-D2, even the Ewoks; Obi-Wan Kenobi, and all the Jedi who were mercilessly slaughtered, Padme; even Anakin was a hero-before he renounced the Jedi for the quick and easy path. But the greatest hero of the Star Wars saga must be Yoda. His infinite wisdom, and his courage to know he could not beat the Emporer, left the path open for Luke and all to save the galaxy 20 some years down the road by destroying the second Death Star, and restoring peace to the galaxy.
Winner=TIE!!! It would be irresponsible of me, as a fan of both universes, to say one set of heroes is better than the other-though, if a gun were held to my head, and I had to choose to save my life, I'd have to say Star Wars, for Yoda

Villians
Star Trek crews have battled so many enemies, the most notable and recurring being the Romulans, Q, The Borg and The Dominion. The greatest Star Trek villian, has to be The Borg, followed closely by Q, then the Dominion. Compared to these enemies, the Romulans, were no real threat. The greatest story arc to be done on a Star Trek series, were the last two seasons of DS9-with the war between the Federation and the Dominion. Previously, Star Trek had purposely kept most episodes as freestanding, not connecting one to the next (this is especially evident in TNG-the only exception being the episode where Picard returns home to Earth after being assimilated into the Borg collective).
Star Wars revolves around one villian, The Emporer. All stories relevent to conquering this one, real threat. Some would have you think that Darth Vader was the true villian. But no, the true villian was Palpatine, The Emporer, and ultimate manipulator. Vader, sadly, was his puppet. The Galactic Empire, with its Stormtroopers and superweapons, all under the control of one powerful Sith.
Winner=TIE!!! Again, when arguing best villians, its all very subjective. And both franchise villians have the power to wreak great havoc

Here is where my comparison will deviate from the online article. I don't think it fair to compare High Points or Low Points, or even Best Lines. Who walks around quoting lines from the TV series Star Trek? What lines are that recognizable from the movies that when said, everyone knows what you are quoting? It's an unfair comparison. The same with High and Low points. There are too many of each in both series, and really, Star Wars would win hands down, all three comparisons, simply by one scene in The Empire Strikes Back.
Quote "I am your father"
Low Point Take your pic-Han frozen in Carbonite, Vader cutting off Luke's hand, Vader's revelation to Luke, the whole movie practically!
High Point I would argue that Vader's revelation can be a Low, as well as a High point. Among many others in this Saga-the true high point being the end of RotJ when Vader throws the Emporer over the edge of the chasm.
So-even though I think you can tell which movie would win these three contests, I don't think it fair to compare.

But for now I must retire, I will return within the day, to complete my comparison, looking at Ships, Aliens, Worlds, and Technology.

to be continued...