I use a digital SLR as most other photographers do today and have quickly realised that capturing images using camera-RAW files is the way to go.

Personally I use Adobe Lightroom to handle my photo library, but I know there are other software available like Apple Aperture.

These applications are quite hard to use for a novice, and are quite expensive too. I've often recommended other photographers to switch to camera-raw, but they won't do it because Windows can't handle it natively.
Are there any free or cheaper applications out there that can do simple file handling and adjustments? Preferably so simple that my mom can do it.

I know Nikon offers a codec that allows you to view NEF-files natively inside Windows, but still limits the uses of the file and slows the system down if the file is big.
Does anybody know of a drag-and-drop application that converts camera-raw to JPG on-the-fly? In case I or someone would need to upload an image to the web or use it inside a word-document.

Thanks.