[MapServer-dev] MapServer User Survey

[Seth G]

Good suggestions. I have moved the open-ended questions to the end, and added questions on usage of vector tiles, the WMS client, and the WFS client. 

I also added a question to see if MapServer users are also using TinyOWS, MapCache. ms4w, or mappyfile. 

Seth

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

On Tue, Jan 20, 2026, at 9:22 PM, Lime, Steve D (MNIT) wrote:
> 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://mapserverstudio.net
> mastodon: @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> 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
>>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>> >> MapServer-dev at lists.osgeo.org
>>> >> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/mapserver-dev
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>  
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