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Have you tried Fair Use Wizard? It is pretty butt simple, and they have a free version that rips DVD to DivX so you can try it out. According to WineHQ it works on Linux with Wine as well. The full version will let you rip to Zune, iPod, hell pretty much anything. Butt simple.

If you are strictly wanting to just copy DVD to DVD and want to stick with free you can use the combo of Ripit4me which needs DVD Decrypter and DVD shrink installed. it then walks you step by step as it rips the flick and runs it through DVD shrink. But for butt simple ease of use I would just pay for Fair Use Wizard. The full version does it all and is easy peasy.

Have you tried Fair Use Wizard? It is pretty butt simple, and they have a free version that rips DVD to DivX so you can try it out. According to WineHQ it works on Linux with Wine as well. The full version will let you rip to Zune, iPod, hell pretty much anything. Butt simple.

If you are strictly wanting to just copy DVD to DVD and want to stick with free you can use the combo of Ripit4me which needs DVD Decrypter and DVD shrink installed. it then walks you step by step as it rips the flick and runs it through DVD shrink. But for butt simple ease of use I would just pay for Fair Use Wizard. The full version does it all and is easy peasy.

Great link! Except they don't host the software and can't even link to download locations in the forum.

Better to go here: http://www.mrbass.org/dvdshrink/

For what its worth, there are ways to make your own ringtones that are simply not advertised or explained by a given cell provider simply because they are also selling ringtones. I have a verizon phone and a quick google search of "make verizon ringtones" turned this up. Its obviously windows-centric but the information is generally accurate for linux too. I'd never used audacity personally before and I was able to make a quick ringtone with minimal fuss. No cost except the normal charge of sending a text/pix/whatever message to your phone.

On the other hand, you have to look at the reason the media companies use DRM of one sort or another. And that's because it works. Yes, they'll always be cracked sooner or later. However, that means nothing in terms of raw sales because the vast majority of your customers will never be aware of that fact, or too afraid to try it, or too technically inept to find the tools and use them. So far as those people are concerned, your DRM scheme is perfect because they'll never, ever manage to get around it, even if they wanted to.

CSS was cracked years ago, and now tools to copy DVDs are readily available: just Google "DVD Shrink" for one example. That being the case, why do virtually all commercial DVDs have CSS still on them? Because it raises the bar high enough so that only a relative few will be able to manipulate that data in a manner not of the studio's choosing. That's just as true today as it was before DVD Jon came along and shook the applecart.

DRM is like most things: it doesn't have to be perfect, it only needs to be good enough. The RIAA learned that lesson after decades of focusing on the control of "digitally perfect copies". They were shocked at the popularity of Napster and early MP3 rips, because those rips were anything but perfect. They were, however, good enough for a heck of a lot of people. That fact cuts both ways.

Probably the best ripper on linux is DVD::rip - it should be in your distro repository.

On windows, I like Nero recode - comes with Nero Burning Rom (commercial) - lets you shrink DVD9 to DVD5 and choose which tracks you want, or to mpeg4 or H.264 if you want to store on a media pc.

The best free windows one IMO is dvd shrink - a bit less point-and-clicky, but still pretty simple. Yes, you can get technically better results with the proper multi-pass CCE rippers; but for most purposes the point-and-click recoders do a plenty good enough job, and they're much, much faster.

Oh, if you get a DVD these guys can't handle due to braindead copy protection, usually DVD Fab free or DVD decrypter (if you can find a copy on say, mrbass.org, it is technically illegal to distribute since it was acquired and shut down by macrovision) can remove the copy protection and save it as files, then you run dvd shrink on the files to get it down to a DVD5.

Good luck!

DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink. There's no real thought involved. I've ripped hundreds of DVDs this way and I do ALL my own purchased DVDs as well (not just for backup sake but to remove the mandatory commercials and stupid fucking warnings about piracy). I bought the fucking DVD already and I don't share my physical DVD copies with anyone as they never seem to come back in the same shape.

I have several DVD players (including one from 1998) and all play the DVD+Rs I've burned just fine.

DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink. There's no real thought involved. I've ripped hundreds of DVDs this way and I do ALL my own purchased DVDs as well (not just for backup sake but to remove the mandatory commercials and stupid fucking warnings about piracy). I bought the fucking DVD already and I don't share my physical DVD copies with anyone as they never seem to come back in the same shape.

I have several DVD players (including one from 1998) and all play the DVD+Rs I've burned just fine.

As a Dad, I hear you.

A couple folks mentioned VLC, which is half of the fight. Lets you skip the ads, fbi warnings, etc. The killer combo is with DVDShrink (http://mrbass.org/dvdshrink). It removes macrovision, the no-skip flag, and also lets you just rip the movie without any of the extra stuff direct to HDD. Point VLC to the VIDEO_TS directory on a disk (or network) and the kids have instant movie, you never buy a third copy of Toy Story again. (You can also encode in something more compressed than MP2, but I've got the disk space for my little one's collection).

The first thing any computer user wants to do is get on the internet. I've got a static IP where I live so I decided to set up the networking. Unfortunately, without a working hostname, there's literally no way to do this. On bootup, gnome suggested I manually edit my /etc/hosts file to include my hostname. After doing this, gnome allowed me to configure my network. (Why can't the installer do this?)

I'm pretty sure the installer already did this... Yeah, right here, on this install guide it shows on the 5th screenshot setting the hostname. I don't think the installer from 5.04 to 5.10 changed at all. (I don't know if that's what you're talking about or if that helps at all at this point, but figured it wouldn't hurt to have the information there.)

The first thing any computer user wants to do is get on the internet. I've got a static IP where I live so I decided to set up the networking. Unfortunately, without a working hostname, there's literally no way to do this. On bootup, gnome suggested I manually edit my /etc/hosts file to include my hostname. After doing this, gnome allowed me to configure my network. (Why can't the installer do this?)

I'm pretty sure the installer already did this... Yeah, right here, on this install guide it shows on the 5th screenshot setting the hostname. I don't think the installer from 5.04 to 5.10 changed at all. (I don't know if that's what you're talking about or if that helps at all at this point, but figured it wouldn't hurt to have the information there.)

* DVD Decrypter Recently bought out by Macrovision to shut down it's decryptey goodness, DVD Decrypter is really a no-nonsense, no-fuss DVD ripper and burner. Want to rip a movie from a DVD so you can watch it later? One button. Want to rip it back to a DVD? Another button.

If DVD Decrypter can no longer rip/decrypt DVDs (since it's not being updated anymore), the next highest-rated (by videohelp.com users) freeware ripper (that's still being updated) is DVDFab Decrypter.

Two nice sites for information about video tools with guides:

• VideoHelp.com
• afterdawn.com

* DVD Decrypter Recently bought out by Macrovision to shut down it's decryptey goodness, DVD Decrypter is really a no-nonsense, no-fuss DVD ripper and burner. Want to rip a movie from a DVD so you can watch it later? One button. Want to rip it back to a DVD? Another button.

If DVD Decrypter can no longer rip/decrypt DVDs (since it's not being updated anymore), the next highest-rated (by videohelp.com users) freeware ripper (that's still being updated) is DVDFab Decrypter.

Two nice sites for information about video tools with guides:

• VideoHelp.com
• afterdawn.com

* Crimson Editor An amazingly powerful freeware text / script editor.

  * uTorrent Is there an open source Torrent Client in under 200k? Does it have RSS searching, bandwidth scheduling, automatic resume, and trackerless support? Yes? Oh, good then.

  * As -U- Type. Spell check anywhere. It's a great piece of software, if you can get over the fact that the author barely speaks any english.

  * 3 Plane Soft Screensavers. Ok, they're screensavers. And they're a rip off. But damn they're nice.

  * Trillian. 'nuff said.

  * The Bat! The second best mail client created, behind only KMail.

  * IZarc If there were need for zip clients anymore, this would be the one to have. Also handles about 50 other file standards, integrates really well with explorer, is small and efficient, and did I mention free? Best unzipper out there, including the pay options.

  * Folder Size Shows you how big your folders are. If explorer were made by Apple, it would do this by default.

  * True Crypt Data so secure even it doesn't know if there is more to be found in a file.

  * Thumbs Plus Arguably there are a lot of good applications in this space, and there are ones out there with better interfaces. But it is the only thumbnail application I've ever used that can handle upwards of 20,000 files in a single directory. If you take lots of pictures, this is the one.

  * DVD Decrypter Recently bought out by Macrovision to shut down it's decryptey goodness, DVD Decrypter is really a no-nonsense, no-fuss DVD ripper and burner. Want to rip a movie from a DVD so you can watch it later? One button. Want to rip it back to a DVD? Another button.

  * Microsoft Power Toys Nifty stuff from people who both hate and make the operating system.

And remember to use an antivirus, a firewall, and two anti-spyware suites. My personal favorites are AVG Antivirus, Kerio Personal Firewall, Spybot, and Ad Aware.

I wonder though if my habits screwed everyone...my general netflix usage is DVDShrinking the disc as soon as I get it (my mail gets delivered about 2:00pm) and then walking it down to the Post Office for the 5:00pm outgoing mail collection. I've wondered if this sets off any flags, and I guess it does. I think maybe I'll throw a 24 hour delay into there.

My Bad.

Hundreds of blank DVDs, CDs and jacket covers were also found, as was software "commonly used to crack header codes on copyrighted materials such as movies and music to allow duplication," Schafer's memo said.

Plus, software to "crack" DVDs is free anyway. Didn't look like that was hurting their budget! ;)

Well, I don't run the site, and it is a 250+MB download, so I can understand their hesitancy to let just anyone use up their bandwidth. ;)

Here's what I found using Google:
Torrent links here
regular download here
and another faster-for-registered-users here

> ...who made my graphics card, who made my NIC or who made my wireless system

Don't forget which chipset is in each, which VERSION of which chipset is in each, and as for wireless forget an easy install of WPA when you want (more?) secure wireless networking......

> I'm tired of Linux fanboys like you spreading uninformed bullshit about OS X

I second this -- I've installed Ubuntu a few times, and unless there's some "accept all defaults" preference I missed (which I suppose is possible, but it's NOT THE DEFAULT), Ubuntu's install process asks just as many (annoying?) questions as an OS X install if not more:

http://www.mrbass.org/linux/ubuntu/install/

" I'd love to hear some feedback if someone's found a nice and easy way to manage packages on Linux to get a good installation of:

Firefox,
OpenOffice,
VLC,
XMMS,
ACPI,
Fluxb ox (or Gnome)"

I'm a Linux newb but....

Firefox - comes with Ubuntu
OpenOffice - comes with Ubuntu
VLC - can't help you here, ask about it on ubuntu forums
XMMS - Get the Ubuntu Add-on (zip or cd) from mr. bass..makes everything nice and easy.
ACPI - ask on ubuntu forums, might want to ask with specific problem and hardware info.
Fluxbox (or Gnome) - Ubuntu comes with Gnome. If you're having probs with Fluxbox, maybe try xfce (another lightweight) instead? I installed xfce (can be found from mr. bass, with the other stuff) and works great for me.

One thing I love about ubuntu is the forums. No matter what level of experience you have people seem very willing, even happy, to help. Without any perceptable elitist attitude either.

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/ - Forums
http://www.ubuntuguide.org/ - Unofficial Ubuntu Guide 5.04

http://www.mrbass.org/dvdrip/

The difference is huge. The impact of this new format has huge ramifications across all businesses and industries. It'll truly be a huge boon to avoid vendor lock-in. Also will allow the data to be manipulated how each business deems in their best interest versus now how Microsoft, for instance, determines with what tools and how much it'll cost to manipulate the data.

If you really want to dig deeper check my Feb 13th entry on my homepage Feb 13 DesktopSummit Feb 9th OOoRegiCon Abstracts Presentations PDF and talks mp3 50MB

Now download the PDF and listen to Gary Edwards talk in mp3 entitled "The Shot Heard 'Round the World - How the OASIS Open Document changes everything".

I created a dvdshrink guide in flash using Wink on June 25, 2003...it's pretty nice for being free.

I did a comparison of dvd online rental services just at the end of last year. Long story short Netflix beats blockbuster and walmart and many others. Gamefly is the best gaming rental place. DVD Rentals Comparison

"now my browsing is the same wherever I go."

so are mrbass.org/l my bookmarks...requires any computer, not just the few that actually have BIOSes capable of booting USB drives.

Ok found the mp3 of the openoffice talks but they were huge 128Kbps. So I converted them to 32Kbps and they sound great (these are talks not rock concerts) and I threw them all in one 50MB zip file. It's on my frontpage with links to pdf files too. download at mrbass.org

DVDDecrypter or DVD Shrink. Rip and burn to ISO or another disc. I use DVD-shrink for dual layered discs and then burn the ISO with DVD Decrypter. If you have a single layer you can just use DVD Decrypter to burn the entire disc without edits.

See here for more information on DVD Shrink.

They are both free and work well.

Xandros open circulation has opera with built in text ads...to install gimp you have to PAY to be a member..please.

Linspire (lindows) same thing pay to install...true you can apt-get but it's still commercilized with restrictions up the ying-yang.'

The best I've found for the average joe to replace a windows computer to avoid having to install spybot, ad-aware, firewalls, privacy cleaners, etc. is Mepis Linux. When Debian Sarge comes out it'll still be relevant because of Mepis's hardware detection, preinstalled java, flash, sound just works, etc. If you wish to download the iso (testing version) I have a 100MBps mirror.

Codeweavers for $40 is definitely worth it for many making the transition until they find a suitable replacement. I don't know how much longer I'll need to keep win2000 on one of my computers but I hope not more than 2 years..maybe only 1 more year...who knows. Near the end of this year I plan to have my sisters and mom and many of my friends hopefully on Mepis and the support calls won't be clean up this crap but rather how do I use blah blah which is much less time consuming to deal with.

Why pay $14.95 when you can use Audacity (GPL) and do it for free. Here's my guide how to make your own Make your own ringtones

dvdshrink linux version
ok not exactly a linux version but just download dvdshrink w98lite 3.1.7 and voila ..it works under wine within linux. This just has the .exe which has no installer and also it's tied to some system dlls.

mirror for ut2004 windows and linux....sorry mac is taking forever to download. So not sure if I'll mirror that or not.

I have a mirror here...heck it's only 209MB ..no biggie. download

winzip is $30 and winrar is $29....you don't need either as IZArc 3.3.1 is totally free and does everything those two do except create a .rar set. Here's a mirror to download it if you want. mirror IZArc is an archiving tool suports many archive formats like: 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, B64, BH, BZ2, BZA, CAB, CPIO, DEB, ENC, GCA, GZ, GZA, HA, JAR, LHA, LIB, LZH, MBF, MIM, PAK, PK3, RAR, RPM, TAR, TAZ, TBZ, TGZ, TZ, UUE, WAR, XXE, YZ1, Z, ZIP, ZOO.

Hollywood confronts DVD-copy software

Look, 321 Studios got it's start by selling freeware bundled together for $50 and even still sells it to this day. It includes Smartripper and I believe dvdx which is GPL dvdx. DVDToolBox (freeware) can split main movie only two two dvd-rs and also strip out audio and extras, etc. Many in the dvd backup community don't look favorably upon 321 Studios although many wish them luck in court.

What most people do is go to out and buy a dvd burner. Get on google and type in 'dvd copy' that is where it goes down hill. Almost 100 or more hits plus ads are all ripoff dvd software.

I'm keeping a list of ripoff software on my site hoping that others don't fall into the trap but it's inevitable.

BTW, in the above article what I'm trying to say is that this DVD Backup Software is irrelevant and not the cause of revenue being lost. All existing laws are already in place. Stop foreign countries, even people on street corners in big cities in USA from profiting off other's intellectual property. Prosecute those who upload movies to newsgroups, irc, p2p, etc.

The average Joe backing up his movie is NOT where the main concern should be. If Hollywood wins this battle is that going to stop the illegal selling or uploading / downloading of movies? Heck no, it'll just punish the average person from legally making a personal DVD backup.

I like all the functions of mozilla too. However, at work I have about 40 or so on mozilla. But quite a few say "What the hell is Mozilla" "I don't like a lizzard, dragon, godzilla splash screen" yadda yadda yadda. So I'm forced to install Nestcape 7.0 with all the AOL junk, activation, etc. I just found this cool build of Nestscape 7.0 Compact . Search google for 'nestcape compact' and it's the second hit.
here's my mirror 16MB. btw before you download look at the table of what it DOES NOT have and what it DOES HAVE. Yes it has pop-up blocking, imageblocking, etc. All the cool features of Mozilla minus the bloated junk crap AOL/TimeWarner wants to shove down our throats.