Presentation follow up
Thanks to all who commented on my mockups last night. I wanted to post more information about the project to address some of the areas of my grant proposal that did not get discussed in depth in my presentation.
Abstract:
Mapping the Footsteps of History is a Web 2.0 geospatial mashup tool that will allow users to interactively generate composite maps of Civil War era battlefields sites with Google Earth’s satellite imagery. It is also a digital database resource of battlefields maps, which correlate as closely to the time of the battle as possible.
This unique historical perspective will:
- create an enhanced digital then and now experience
- create a more comprehensive experience and a broader context of the battlefield
- the audience for this resource will be amateur historians, amateur cartographers, and battle enthusiasts
The grant will be proposing two things:
1) to build a database for the older maps and
2) the mapping tool itself.
Addressing the question of scaling on older maps, I have been thinking about the potential issues and the short answer is to use a process called rubber sheeting. (Rubber sheeting is the process of taking a number of control points and matching them with accurate geographic locations). Of course it would be great to try to build a geographic coordinate grid onto these older maps as I mentioned- but it is very difficult to accomplish- so rubber sheeting may work for the build out of the database.
Why is this tool needed? There does not seem to be a resource of this kind that focuses on battlefields maps. The David Ramsey collection is a great model for what the site can become. This goals for this tool is to focus on Civil War era battlefields that can be a great resource with this specific focus.
I will rework some of my mock ups based on further responses (More detailed “how to’s” on the Getting started page, changing the home page a bit to perhaps to provide clarity, and perhaps changing the Compare maps tag line to include the term U.S.)
Thanks again, I look forward to any additional thoughts or questions.
Filed under: Uncategorized | 3 Comments
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Hi Tina,
Well done with your presentation; it was very upbeat and not boring, you came across as a people-person! Well done also with this post: I think it is very important to go back over key details of the proposed resource, as you have done here, as this clarifies both to yourself and to the class EXACTLY what you are doing and why you are doing it. So this was a very useul exercise, and I feel that you correctly identified the major aspects of your proposed resource, and you illuminated your changes clearly and succinctly. I wish you could build this site now so we could start using it! Would you build it if someone were to give you funding? I think it would be popular.
I agree with the general parameters of your post, the only thing I might change is I think you are selling yourself and your project a bit short when you delineate the audience as only amateurs. Partly our difference is due to a difference in defining the question of audience, as you see it as specific and I see it more broadly. So, I really think it would be appropriate if you would like to state that your audience will include, not just amateurs, but students and scholars of American History, and even members of the interested general public both in the U.S. and abroad. I think I remember reading that the U.S. Civil War is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, topics of all time, so that combined with the usefulness and visual appeal of the site, mean that I am predicting lots of visitors to your site!
Holly
I agree with Holly’s remarks when it comes to your presentation style, the success of the website (I would visit it too!), and the comment on the “amateur” audience. I too believe it would be an invaluable resource to scholars such as historians, archaeologists, geographers, and educators, just to name a few.
Also, the points you made in your “presentation follow-up” posting are right on track, particularly the idea to use the rubber sheeting.
As far as future innovative ideas,I believe your site has the potential for even grander uses, such as creating 3D visuals of the actual battlefield typography, climate, etc. for historians, archaeologists, geographers, etc.to recreate the conditions at different pivotal points before, during, and after the actual battle. It could draw even a wider audience. Of course, it would require certain technologies and additional web interface applications. Just an idea…
Great comments and things to think about. As yo may recall my original idea for the site was something that was much bigger. I think through this process of focusing down there has been some shift in thinking about the audience.
My revamped proposal did focus on the amateurs and enthusiasts. I think that I built the site thinking about those individuals who are less that proficient on the computer, but has some knowledge and interest in battlefield history. That is not to say scholars and educator are not a pat of the audience I have/will consider. I am working on drafting this in the proposal as we speak.
I LOVE the potential this project can have in terms of becoming a more in-depth tool for researching and build out some of the examples you mention above topography, etc.
That is the long horizon idea with a tool like this. I appreciate your comments and thoughts, it is very helpful.
Tina