convert dvd

Hi,
I'm very new to this and need some help. I have several home movies that are on DVDs (they have vob and ifo extensions). I need to convert this to some format (not sure if what I need is avi)in order to edit it with an editing program so that I can then put some of it on youtube. Any help about what I want to convert it to and any advise on an editing program would be much appreciated.
Thanks

I use this to convert things into movies for my ipod, I'm sure it will help you.

http://www.divx-digest.com/software/3gp_converter.html