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Post by jrboddie on Mar 6, 2011 10:40:08 GMT -5
The past 3 days I've had the pleasure of demonstrating at the Alamo a web based application that presents the events of the 13 day siege on an animated and interactive map. It is at the "alpha" stage as there are more features that I plan to add when I get home. The app uses the Microsoft Silverlight platform and should run on both Macs and PCs with the most popular web browsers. For this alpha/beta period, you can try it out yourself at the following URL bit.ly/AlamoApp |
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Post by g2smythson on Mar 9, 2011 19:58:46 GMT -5
Wonderful - a very nice 175th gift to Texas!
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Post by cantador4u on Mar 10, 2011 14:34:37 GMT -5
Real nice but I keep thinking it should have the sound of horses, or men running when the unit symbols are moving over the map.
Speaking of the map, I don't recall that there was a ford in the upper bend of the river near where the Alamo Acequia dumps back into the river. Early maps show a road running down to the river but no road on the other side as it shows in the web app map. Was this a recognized ford other than the one near Bowen's Island?
And while I'm being picky, there seem to be more roads to the North of San Antonio heading to the mill than most early maps show.
The app map (nice rhyme) seems based upon Rullman's Reconstruction Map of San Antonio, 1836.
Paul Meske, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
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Post by jrboddie on Mar 10, 2011 15:46:58 GMT -5
Paul,
Thanks for the feedback. It is a work in progress.
The app is all set up to add sound effects at different points in the animation. I just have to collect them.
Yes, Rullman is one of my references along with the 1845 map and some secondary sources, e.g. Nelson, Lemon.
I'll check on the on the other items you mentioned.
Jim
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Post by Chuck T on Mar 10, 2011 19:36:53 GMT -5
Jim: This reminds me of the old Electric Map that used to be at Gettysburg. Of course that was 1930's technology. I used to suggest to those I know who visited Gettysburg that they see the Electric Map first, visit the battlefield, and then see the Electric Map again before they leave. The whole would leave one with a complete ( at least for a casual tourist) understanding of what happened. I can now say there is a 21st Century way of doing the same thing for those that visit the Alamo. This is a very good thing you have done. I have added it to my "favorites" so I may refer back from time to time.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 10, 2011 21:24:27 GMT -5
I hated that they got rid of the old electric map at Gettysburg. It was a great intro to the battlefield for 95% of the visitors.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Mar 10, 2011 21:37:25 GMT -5
This interactive Alamo battle map is a little disappointing on my laptop. It was ten times better in the shadow of the Alamo, the night before the fall with jrboddie narrating the movement of the troops on a big flat screen. I got chills then and thar, but it's still cool here.  |
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Post by Seguin on Mar 12, 2011 22:11:31 GMT -5
I think it´s an awesome app! It gave me a much better understanding of how the siege progressed than I had before. Well done, jrboddie!
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Post by jrboddie on Mar 15, 2011 11:29:03 GMT -5
I just updated the app. + Switch between historic (1836) and modern street map. + Mouse over some buildings (San Fernando and some Alamo compound structures) and see a pop-up image of it. + Some minor tweaks to the animation. (If you don't see any change, you may need to clear your cache and reload it.) bit.ly/AlamoApp |
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Post by Rich Curilla on Jan 10, 2012 19:41:38 GMT -5
Mr. J.R., I just re-engaged your interactive Alamo siege and battle and find it to be an incredibly effective visualization and timeline -- for the newby or the historian alike. Outside of a few very minor historical details (which are arguable at that), you are RIGHT ON! Grand job!
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Post by jrboddie on Jan 10, 2012 22:17:31 GMT -5
Thank you. I'm glad that you find it interesting and useful.
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Post by Hollowhorn on Jan 11, 2012 15:39:47 GMT -5
Please may we also have the other couriers added in?
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Post by Rich Curilla on Jan 11, 2012 18:26:39 GMT -5
One detail I noticed that I would change, if you are able to update and plan to do so, is the addition of Mexican battery emplacements without the elimination of earlier ones. Perhaps the primary sources aren't clear , but the batteries on the Plaza de las Islas (possibly) and near the Veramendi on the 23rd.-24th. would have probably been dismantled to become the river battery on El Potrero. Likewise, IF there was a battery in La Villita at Nueva Street (still unproven, I believe), it most likely was moved up to become one or both of the Alameda batteries (which you do not show). To my knowledge, the Mexicans only had 6 cannon and 2 howitzers throughout the siege. The two 12-pounders didn't arrive until after the the final battle.
I think these first batteries moved in just like you depict the well-documented moves of the N.E. battery.
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Post by Herb on Jan 11, 2012 19:34:46 GMT -5
Rich, you are absolutely correct on the number of artillery pieces. I'll have to dig to find the source, but there was no TRUE battery in La Villita, but early in the siege a lone howitzer was posted there in support (or vice versa) of the infantry battalion encamped there.
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Post by loucapitano on Jan 13, 2012 17:14:51 GMT -5
Your work is terrific and the potential is virtually endless. It's good to keep a mental map to understand many of the intricacies of the battle. Your work in progress will make it easier for all Alamo fanatics (like us) and the casual historian to better appreciate this clash of cultures 176 years ago that affects us to this day.
Again, nice job!!!
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