[MapServer-dev] MapServer User Survey
Even Rouault
even.rouault at spatialys.com
Fri Jan 30 06:29:50 PST 2026
+1 Even
Le 30/01/2026 à 12:12, Seth G via MapServer-dev a écrit :
> Hi all,
>
> I have updated the survey with feedback from the list and from direct
> emails.
>
> I propose we release
> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNLqslbM6IhocnwTst9c29eaD89yD81hdUKW2ctn2uZK0Z3g/viewform to
> the mapserver-users list and as many other communication channels as
> possible.
>
> Proposed email text (also included at the top of the survey):
>
> Hi MapServer users!
>
> The MapServer Project Steering Committee (PSC) would love to get your
> feedback on MapServer. Your input will help us understand how the
> project is being used and guide the development of its future roadmap.
> The survey will be open until the end of March 2026.
>
> Providing your name and email is entirely optional. All responses,
> including names and emails (if provided), will remain confidential. No
> identifying information will be published, and results will be
> aggregated and anonymised.
>
> Thank you for your valuable time and feedback. To make the survey more
> effective, please help us by sharing it widely.
>
> I'll start with my +1,
>
> Seth
>
>
> --
> web:https://geographika.net & https://mapserverstudio.net
> mastodon: @geographika at mastodon.social
>
> On Tue, Jan 20, 2026, at 11:49 PM, Seth G via MapServer-dev wrote:
>> 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
>>>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> >> 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
>>>
>>> https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/mapserver-dev
>>>
>>
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>
>
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--
http://www.spatialys.com
My software is free, but my time generally not.
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