Foreword (May 2006)
Already in 1934 PIANC has taken the initiative to publish an illustrated technical
dictionary in six languages. This was a very special product, because it did not
only have an alphabetical entry, but it also had an option to find words in a systematic way. A second feature of the dictionary were the very illustrative drawings.
Unfortunately it proved to be very difficult and costly to keep this dictionary
up-to-date. However, modern technology makes it possible to produce and update such
products in a much more efficient way.
On the basis of software developed by Delft University of Technology, PIANC has
taken the initiative to produce, in close cooperation with CEDA and IHO a new
version of this illustrated dictionary. It is free and on-line available via the internet
(via http:www.waterdictionary.info). New features in the on-line dictionary are a build-in glossary, additional photos and
in some cases also video-clips.
At this moment some 5000 entries are available from IHO (in three languages),
some 4000 from CEDA (in five languages) and some 5000 from PIANC (in six languages).
The number of PIANC entries will be expanded to 10000 in the course of 2007. The next step
is some rearrangement of the information and adding illustrations, etc. An additional feature is the link to Dredgeline. Dredgeline is an on-line bibliographical
reference database on dredging and related subjects, funded by CEDA, IADC and VBKO and maintained
by TU Delft. For more details is refered to the Manual of the Dictionary
Because the system works by means of one central server, all additions are directly
available for all users. However, it is necessary for the user to have a good Internet
connection. Since it is the expectation that most of the potential users already
have such a connection, and the number of users with a fast Internet connection
will only increase, this seems a good option for the future. (Note:
this implies that it is not possible to download the full dictionary, also it is not
possible to have an off-line edition of this dictionary on CD-ROM).
Programme and the database are available via one of the servers of the Delft
University of Technology. The package is sponsored by the Corporate Members of
PIANC and CEDA
In later stages more information and glossary descriptions will be added. Also we will
then decrease the overlap between the three source databases.
The digital environment makes it possible to search the database in several manners.
Information about this can be found in the manual.
CEDA sponsorlist
PIANC Platinum partners
Delft, May 2007
H.J. Verhagen