I need a program to be used by report writers to print a set of
photographs (jpeg files)to be attached to the reports. I have spent
some time reviewing numerous commercial s/w programs but have not
found one satisfying my needs including a relatively simple user
interface -- most either are targetting low activity personal users or
are "feature bound."

The program characteristics are minimally the following:
- Windows 98se, xp
- Simple, low overhead, user interface 
- Image files are jpeg, tiff usually in one directory
- Tasks include: 
1) select image files from directory dialog, 
2) initial order by date/time created, 
3) user re-order [or delete] manually by one/multiple file selection
drag/drop, 4) minimal image editing
[rotate90/brightness/contrast/gamma/crop],
5) user input descriptive text for each image, 
6)auto insert/size into selectable grid templates for wysiwyg zoom
viewing (including mult-page),
7) editable page layout templates including: grid 1xN, 2xN, NxM
thumbnail grid layouts; portrait/landscape; rectangle page border;
editable header & footer (including gif icon and auto page numbering);
image associated text (file name, date created, user descriptive text
located outside image top/bottom/left/right)
8) printer setup and printing control
9) option: save document layout (re-loadable) in parameter file
including either image links or embedded images

Would prefer existing commercial program with "low user overhead" but
custom-programming direction definite consideration. I have heard that
very qualified programmers available in India, eastern EU, etc. who
could turn this quickly and affordably.

If custom programming I need detail understanding of process for
finding a programmer, contracting, delivery, payment terms. Would need
to have compilable program sources in C, Delphi (preferred), VB, or
Java delivered with program. This is a relatively simple program -- I
could program this myself but am a little rusty and don't have time.
Many inexpensive programming components out there ought to make this
straightforward for experienced programmer. Doesn't have to be pretty.

mrlab-ga,

  As much as I agree this is a relatively simple task, there does not
appear to be any commercial solution to speak of that satisfies your
needs and is easy to use.

  You may want to pursue your other idea of creating the software
yourself, or recruiting a developer to create it for you. I am an
experienced software developer and can think of numerous ways of
solving the problem programmatically. Given this and taking your
criteria into account, I would strongly recommend using a high-level
programming language, and would specifically recommend looking into
using Visual Basic for Applications. If you have Microsoft Word
installed on the computers, creating an "intelligent" document
template using VBA scripting will likely be the simplest solution.
This will also address your concern of having access to the source
code, as the source code will be editable directly in Microsoft Word.

  If you are interested in doing this yourself, and to get an idea of
how straight forward it really is to insert a picture into a Word (or
Excel -- same procedure) document programmatically (which would be the
major obstacle of the project); refer to:

http://www.exceltip.com/show_tip/General_Topics_in_VBA/Insert_pictures_using_VBA_in_Microsoft_Excel/486.html

  If you are unfamiliar with VBA scripting, you may want to consider
either getting an introductory book (that's all you will need) on VBA
programming, or hire an experienced developer.

  If you are interested in recruiting a developer, Elance is a great
source of contractors. To use this service, you can post the
requirements of your projects on:

http://www.elance.com/cgi-bin/rd/search/main/advancedSearch.pl?fpCatName=10216.

  Registering the project on Elance is straightforward. However, at
the field where you describe the project, I would suggest elaborating
on the program characteristics outlined in your question.
Specifically, I would provide some form of concept art (scanned paper
sketch will do just fine) outlining how you would like the interface
to look. A well written project outline and requirements specification
will save you from any head ache as the project progresses. That said;
this is a very small project which an experienced developer can attack
in well below 50 man days. Doing it this way should cost you less than
$500, which is comparable to what you may otherwise spend on
commercial software. For this you will get a custom made solution that
perfectly addresses your needs.

Hope this helps!

Could you please put your project specification to javacamp.org. There
are many Java coders worldwide registered with javacamp.org. If you
prefer Java developers from India, javacamp.org will help you find one
there. All payment related task will be dealt by javacamp.org. You
don't need to worry about that.

If you use Java technology to develop your project, you don't need to
worry about platform compatibility.