Estimate of number of MapServer installations and applications?

[Dave McIlhagga]

Hi Steve,

Yup - it's a big number, but it became apparrent when we started looking 
at how much MapServer was being used without an associated user ever 
subscribing to the direct MapServer mailing list due to:

1. Embedded in Client Tools (chameleon, ka-map, maplab, mapbender, 
etc..) where users may not subscribe to MS list
2. Culture/Language differences, driving non-english speaking users away 
from the list
3. Embedded in commercial solutions that get deployed without any 
associated user
4. Customers who purchase full web mapping solutions from a 
developer/consultant and don't engage in the technology
5. High volume list deters some users from subscribing

There are many other drivers as well.


All of these contribute to MapServer installations around the world 
without an associated 'user' subscribing to the mailing list.

By installations -- we mean # of machines MapServer is installed on.

Dave




Steve Lime wrote:
> Thanks Dave, that's a big number. The mailing list is at 2060 subscriptions. If my memory is
> correct we were at about 1,500 last October- a healthy increase.
> 
> One question is what's the definition of an "installation"?
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
>>>>Dave McIlhagga <dmcilhagga at DMSOLUTIONS.CA> 4/17/2006 1:29:58 PM >>>
> 
> Having said that -- that estimate is close to a year old now and 
> probably needs an update.
> 
> Steve - do you know where we are at in terms of number of mailing list 
> subscribers?
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> Dave McIlhagga wrote:
> 
>>Steve,
>>
>>We've done extensive investigation on this by looking at a number of 
>>metrics -- our best guess that we feel is somewhat conservative is 
>>somewhere between 20k to 40k installations worldwide.
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>Steve Lime wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Hi all: Has anyone got any good metrics for these? I was hoping that 
>>>someone who "sells"
>>>open source solutions might have a number they've been using.
>>>
>>>Steve
>>>
>>
>