I use Picasa, and obviously being free is a Big Plus. I'm hoping there
is something out there as good, but covers all my needs...

I need software that does the following:

1) Uses Window's directory structure (Picasa does)
2) Can search photos by tag/keytword (Picasa does)
3) Lets me create calendars / cards / photos with text over the top
(Picasa doesn't)
4) Has the usual resize / red-eye / adjust color options (Picasa does)
5) Publishes web photo galleries using any photos on my computer I
select (Picasa seems to only do this for complete directories)
6) Is reasonably priced - $50 or less would seem fair to me

I have no need for anything fancier!

Thanks,
Rob

Sadly, I don't think that there is a "Best" home digital photo
software. The problem with requests for "all-inclusive" software, as
is the package you've requested here, is that the more that they try
to accomplish, the less powerful they actually are.

The problems with large integrated software projects are numerous-
weaving numerous and widely different features together is technically
very difficult, and it makes the interface (the part that you look at)
very confusing to deal with. The more options there are, the harder it
is to weave them together (or even decide how they should be put
together) and even decide how they *should* weave together.

As a proposed solution, I'll say this: You can use one package for all
of your photo-organization needs, or you can use multiple software
packages.

The first approach is the one that you take by using Google's Picasa-
it will do almost everything you want, although there are always a few
features that you'll find missing. It's by a long shot the simplest
approach to your problem.  Picasa is robust, easy-to-use, and it does
just about everything you want, for free- and chances are, you're not
going to find a better solution out there without paying through the
nose.

The second approach, using more than one software package, will solve
the problem of your missing-feature woes.  Picasa offers excellent
photo-organization, but if you want to share photos online, try
Flickr.
If you want to edit photos, you could toy with the excessively
powerful and expensive Adobe Photoshop, the free open-source GIMP (GNU
Image Manipulation Program), or any number of cheap knockoffs of those
two products.
To create family cards, there's always Microsoft Publisher or Adobe
InDesign, although these are expensive solutions.  Once again, the
open-source world offers a free alternative- Scribus.
Most of the programs I've suggested, though, are complex to learn and
more than a little overpowered for what you plan to do, and none of
them work together very nicely.

I'd say, stick with Picasa, and maybe get a free Flickr account.

Hello Robskelton.

Let me start by saying that I too use Picassa so my following
suggestion is based on a search and not personal experience.

Your needs SEEM to be filled by the Starter Edition of MS Digital Imaging:
http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=002&active_tab=Overview

You can download a free 60 day trial here:
http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/starteredition.mspx

If you DO try this out, could you please post the results in this
thread so that we know if we put you on the right track?

BTW

Personally I use Picassa...
If I NEED to make a calendar I can always go to:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/activityCenterHome?lc=en&cc=us
and choose the calendar maker (or alot of other projects) in the pull
down menu at the top right of the page.