Right handed, I put the navigation on the left because most surveys on browser useage show people expect thier web navigation on the left of a page, so I followed the principle though here, since most people playing MMO's will be used to browsing the net. Eitherway, it would be able to switch sides depending on the user. My intention was (and I believe its what PE were most likely intending) that each button would open up a window. So the LCARs border next to the buttons would stretch out to show a window for the appropriate button.
Eitherway, as with all game UI's its just a matter of getting used to where everything is, after a few hours of playing you'd instinctivly be used to where teh game places the icons.