[MapServer-dev] MapServer User Survey

[Steve Lime]

I like that first question... ;-)

Other comments at first glance:

   1. On the "Within the last 5 years..." question I'd explicitly add a
   government option.
   2. For communications, I'd change "I follow the mapserver-users mailing
   lists" to "Which mailing lists do you follow?" with 3 choices:
   mapserver-users, mapserver-dev, and mapserver-announce.

Otherwise, my big question would be is this the time to ask about
functionality. Some that come to mind are:

   1. What version are you using?
   2. Are you using MapScript? If yes, what language binding?
   3. What OGC services are you using, if any?
   4. What native MapServer CGI modes are you using, if any?
   5. What input formats are you using, if any? (e.g. PostGIS, Oracle,
   GDAL, etc...)
   6. What output formats are you using, if any? (e.g. template, KML, OGR,
   etc...)

It could get quite involved though and perhaps 2 surveys - a general one
and a functional one, would make sense.

--Steve

On Tue, Jan 20, 2026 at 4:36 AM Seth G via MapServer-dev <
mapserver-dev at lists.osgeo.org> wrote:

> Thanks Māris for the feedback - I have updated the survey with your
> suggestions.
>
> Seth
>
> --
> web:https://geographika.net & https://mapserverstudio.net
> mastodon: @geographika at mastodon.social
>
> On Tue, Jan 20, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Maris Nartiss wrote:
> > Hello Seth,
> > "The web server run MapServer on most is" question is duplicated;
> > "I obtain MapServer from" should be rephrased to something like "For
> > production environments I obtain MapServer from" or should be made as
> > a multiple answer question (e.g. I use packages but also build from
> > source for dev needs);
> > One question to ask might be something like: "Within last X years I
> > have used MapServer for" (multiple choice): "commercial projects",
> > "volunteer projects", "just playing around".
> >
> > Regards,
> > Māris.
> >
> > pirmd., 2026. g. 19. janv., plkst. 23:15 — lietotājs Seth G via
> > MapServer-dev (<mapserver-dev at lists.osgeo.org>) rakstīja:
> >>
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> At the last OSGeo codesprint, we discussed running a MapServer user
> survey, modelled on the GDAL survey [1]. Since MapServer has no analytics
> or "phone home" functionality, we have little insight into how it is used
> beyond mailing lists and in-person discussions.
> >>
> >> A first draft of the survey is available for feedback:
> >>
> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNLqslbM6IhocnwTst9c29eaD89yD81hdUKW2ctn2uZK0Z3g/viewform
> (please don't submit answers until we're happy with the questions!).
> >>
> >> Thanks to Howard for sharing the GDAL survey on which this is based.
> >>
> >> Please let me know of any additional questions that should be added, or
> any edits to existing questions (options, phrasing etc.).
> >>
> >> Unlike the GDAL survey, which informed budget decisions, the aim is to
> prioritise limited time and resources, identify features for potential
> deprecation, and highlight areas needing continued support.
> >>
> >> It will also be interesting to see how many responses we get, as this
> will give a sense of overall interest in MapServer.
> >>
> >> Seth
> >>
> >> [1] https://gdal.org/en/stable/community/user_survey_2024.html
> >>
> >> --
> >> web:https://geographika.net & https://mapserverstudio.net
> >> mastodon: @geographika at mastodon.social
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> MapServer-dev mailing list
> >> MapServer-dev at lists.osgeo.org
> >> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/mapserver-dev
> _______________________________________________
> MapServer-dev mailing list
> MapServer-dev at lists.osgeo.org
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>
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