How are coordinates defined?  The Netherlands can be conceived as a plane in a Cartesian co-ordinate system. Because the earth"s surface is curved, this has to be corrected.There are various ways of doing this, each with its own scope. TNO-NITG uses the UTM31 ED50 system as its standard method for co-ordinates in the Netherlands and the Netherlands" part of the continental shelf. In that area the x co-ordinates run from 480000 (west) to around 780000 (east) and the y co-ordinates from 5620000 (south) to around 6180000 (north). In the system of co-ordinates according to the RD map grid that is used to determine locations on the Dutch mainland (onshore), the x co-ordinates run from 0 (west) to around 300000 (east) and the y co-ordinates from 300000 (south) to around 625000 (north). In both systems each point has an x and a y co-ordinate in metres. When choosing the rectangular section search option, not all fields have to be filled in. Maximum values will be inserted for any open fields. Please note that the highest values for the y co-ordinates are in the north of the Netherlands.

What is "end depth"? 
End depth is a measure of how deep below the surface level the borehole has been drilled. You can define a "depth interval" by filling in a minimal and a maximal depth in the selection screen.

What is a map sheet?  A map sheet is an area-within a fixed set of x,y co-ordinates-for which certain characteristics of the subsurface have been mapped (e.g. the depth of a geological layer or the groundwater level). The TDN map sheet classification, an example of which is depicted here, will be used for the borings and any future expansions in DINOShop. Similar little maps can be called up in DINOShop from the opening selection screen by clicking on the "Input help" link.

What is an NITG number? 
All data in DINO are assigned a unique number. An NITG number is composed of a map sheet number (e.g. 25A) followed by a serial number like 25A0045. For shallow holes an other numbering systemhas been used, based on combining parts of the x,y co-ordinates: the first three figures are taken from the y co-ordinate, followed by the first three figures from the x co-ordinate, finally followed by a serial number like 495-106-0018.

What is the surface level? 
The surface level is the boundary between the earth and the atmosphere. This level varies in height and, in the Netherlands, it can lie above or below NAP, the reference level approximating sea-level. The depth of ground layers, that have been drilled into, is always presented below surface level.

What is a wildcard and how do I use it in the selection process?? 
A wildcard is a special symbol that can be added in a search command to perform special tasks. For example, if you want to see all the borings located on kaartblad (map sheet) 25B, then you must type in "25B%"; the percentage sign here acts as a wildcard. In practice, every input field in the DINOShop software already has the "%" implied behind the input value. For example filling in "25B" under map sheet will yield all borings starting with the NITG number 25B, (i.e. 25B0001 etc.). Another option is to put the percentage sign in front of the search string; %5B will yield all borings on map sheets 05B, 15B, 25B and so forth but would even yield 07G0165B if such a number would exist.