We use WP as a full-fledged CMS for a daily news website (click my name to see it). We get several dozen contributions a day from the community to go along with the news that we write.

I'd be grateful for an application or plugin that allowed outside users to submit information without allowing them access to the admin area.

I know you can restrict users by role (we use the Role Manager plugin) but I'd rather not give anyone access to the admin, even a stripped down version of it. Bad things can happen.

This plugin is a good start for my needs and I'd be willing to invest to get the plugin to the next level. We require photo handling, for instance. I'd also think the write window should support making links, since links are the whole point of the internet.

The plugin is a tremendous start, however, and I'd be happy to be contacted about being part of its development.