Beam Instrumentation Global Network [BIGNET]: a common web portal for Beam instrumentalists

This document will present an initiative launched during the International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC11) to define and produce a common web portal for Beam Instrumentation, with the aim of allowing any beam instrumentalist to easily and efficiently: - find the laboratories with machines using beams of similar characteristics (particle type, total beam intensity, bunch intensity, frequency, energy) - find the person who is working there on the beam observable concerned (i.e. beam position, loss, intensity, transverse or longitudinal profile, tune) and how to contact him/her - create discussion forums with the right audience on hot beam instrumentation topics or issues - advertise topical events and workshop - provide links towards documents describing system designs and performance assessments... This document will cover the status and prospects of the project with the aim to invite and welcome new laboratories to join the adventure.