video editing -- what do you use

[ScottyB]

well, i took a sweet drive up to the mountains last weekend and got a chance to test out my DIY in-car camera mount. i'm using the video function of my digital camera for now and it's doing OK. i want to compile the footage but windows movie maker isn't gonna cut it for what i'd like to try.

i'm so new to this that i'd like to start with a free or trial-period program that is user friendly. after that i'd be willing to buy a program.

also, what do you recommend for compressing videos? my first try ended up with a 3 minute video compilation being 52 megs. there's gotta be a way i can cut that down and not kill quality right?

lastly, my only experience thus far has been with 3 programs, all free:

- windows movie maker
- RAD video tools (mostly to convert the quicktime files my camera spits out into .avi files that most programs can deal with)
- WAX, just downloaded it and i can't figure out WTF, it's all hieroglyphics to me

any advice or directions to helpful tutorial sites would be appreciated.