I'm glad that someone's taken an interest, even if there may not be that much to tell.
When I first started coming to this forum regularly ('11?), I was out of work, so my question was always about where to find freeware that would help me achieve my fan editing goals.
I'm having a brain fart about what program I use for the ripping, so I'll have to get back to you about that. (I'm at work, so I can't check right now.)
I used Any Video Converter for the, um, converting. I used Corel VideoStudio Pro (a free version at first? I don't remember) for the actual editing.
Apparently it's possible to keep using DVD Fab (at least some functions) for free even after the trial has ended, but I get tired of not being able to use all the functions, and tired of that software yelling at me for not using the paid version. I use it sometimes, but I still use AVC a lot, too.
Last year, when I finally had some money, I invested in the full version of Corel VideoStudio. I have some training in Sony Vegas, and it's definitely the superior tool, but 1) I could get the full version of Corel for $80, which was in my price range, and 2) I've been using it so long now that I'm very comfortable with knowing how to make it do the things I want to do. I've already forgotten a lot of the things I learned in Vegas.
Since the thread is about what type of software we all use, I don't think these comments are too far off-topic.
Anyway, my story isn't prescription for everyone, just telling my own experience!