145 ``Geographic`` is the right word for graphic presentation -- maps -- of features and phenomena on or near the Earth’s surface. ``Geospatial, `` (or ``spatial``) also refers to data about Earth features and phenomena, but the data are not necessarily graphically presented. Many geoprocessing applications do not involve a human-readable map on a display. ``GIS`` (Geographic Information System) is just one of many technologies used to create, manage, store, analyze and display geospatial data. ``Geoprocessing,`` is more inclusive, referring to GIS and also to systems for Earth imaging, navigation, facilities management, digital cartography, Location Based Services, spatial database operations, and surveying and mapping. The free geo spatial data is necessary because cooperation is necessary to solve the difficult interoperability issues in the geospatial marketplace. Some user needs, such as the need to share and reuse geodata in order to decrease costs, get more or better information, and increase the value of data holdings, can only be addressed by cooperation among technology users and providers. This paper describes about the importance of the free geospatial data for developing countries like India. Geodata can be potentially any information that describes the location of something in physical space. Geodata can be literal images of spatial things – aerial photographs taken from specially rigged aero planes, or satellite imagery taken from 'earth observation' satellites. Geodata can be cartographic images that are designed to look like things in physical space, emphasizing certain 'features' that are most useful to the intended user of the map – street maps for cities, or contour maps for exploring the countryside. Geodata can be your location as measured by the Global Positioning System (GPS); geodata can be your address; geodata can be any kind of information that has a “spatial component”.This geo spatial data is very use full for to developing the all sectors like water resources, transportation, telecommunication and electrical. Most countries have a “National Mapping Agency” (NMA) that collects and manages geodata on behalf of different government departments. All the mapping agencies are made collaboration with research institution, research centers and industries for sharing the geospatial data and innovative ideas. Due to this collaboration optimal solution of the particular problem is evaluated. The Open Geodata Manifesto talks about the social and economic reasons why open access to geodata should be considered a right, not a privilege. Ultimately, all state-collected information should be openly available, in a structured machine-readable format. Because there weren't standards really designed for collecting data from a lot of different, potentially unreliable sources, Open street map had to create its own. As the industry standards bodies wake up to the new things that people want to do with maps and geodata, their own standards are improving, changing in ways that make it easier for people to write software to share geodata between each other. To building the open and free geospatial data will help the development of all kinds of infrastructure in developing country. FOSS4G2006 - Free And Open Source Software for Geoinformatics Session 8 : Use - FOSS and NONFOSS Nagaraj Thanushkodi thambi_citau2007@rediffmail.com Satya Prasad Manda sp_mvk@rediffmail.com Nagaraj Thanushkodi thambi_citau2007@rediffmail.com Satya Prasad Manda sp_mvk@rediffmail.com <MaKaC.conference.ContributionType object at 0xb4937eac>