[MapServer-dev] MapServer User Survey

[Lime, Steve D (MNIT)]

Yeah, I didn’t see the multiple pages – my apologies.


  *   I’d be curious specifically about vector tiles as an output format. That’s an area for possible investment.
  *   I’d explicitly list WMS and WFS as input formats since they are native clients.
  *   Maybe move the open-ended questions from page one to the end?  I think that is part of the reason I didn’t notice multiple pages.

Any reason to ask about use of or interest in related projects (e.g. MS4W, Mappyfile, MapCache, etc…)?


From: MapServer-dev <mapserver-dev-bounces at lists.osgeo.org> On Behalf Of Seth G via MapServer-dev
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 1:10 PM
To: MapServer Devs <mapserver-dev at lists.osgeo.org>
Subject: Re: [MapServer-dev] MapServer User Survey

Thanks Steve - that first question was an update on the Frank Warmerdam/ GDAL question :-)

I have added the government option and changed the mailing list question.

In regard to the functionality - you may have missed sections 2-4 which cover most of these (you need to click Next at the bottom of the page)? I didn't have a version question though - I'll add that to the first section.

Seth

--
web:https://geographika.net<https://geographika.net/> & https://mapserverstudio.net<https://mapserverstudio.net/>
mastodon: @geographika at mastodon.social<mailto:geographika at mastodon.social>

On Tue, Jan 20, 2026, at 6:59 PM, Steve Lime wrote:
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<mailto: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://geographika.net/> & https://mapserverstudio.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<mailto: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://geographika.net/> & https://mapserverstudio.net<https://mapserverstudio.net/>
>> mastodon: @geographika at mastodon.social
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