The Obama administration launched its anticipated Data.gov web site today where federal agencies will publish raw data. The data is being made available to programmers to allow them to develop applications to make the data more accessible to the public.

The site's catalog currently contains fewer than 100 datasets, but will grow as agencies translate more data into raw digital formats. The data is available in XML, Text/CSV, Keyhole Markup Language and Compressed Keyhole Markup Language, Feeds, XLS, or ESRI Shapefile formats. The site also provides links to widgets and data mining and extraction tools to help cull through data from specific agencies.

To encourage the development of applications for the data, the Sunlight Foundation, in conjunction with others, has launched a competition, Apps for America 2: the Data.gov Challenge.

The winner of the best application will receive $10,000. The runner-up and third place winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. All three will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to the awards ceremony in September. A special $2,500 prize will go to the person who creates the best visualization of data.gov data. Deadline for submissions is August 7.

In addition to its Data.gov site, the Obama administration is also asking the public for advice on how it can become more transparent. Comments, ideas and proposals can be submitted between now and June 3 to opengov@ostp.gov or through the White House Open Government Initiative web site.