I want to convert the contents of a DVD into a computer-playable file (AVI, MOV, MPEG, whatever).

If I may be allowed to tag onto your thread, I have the exact same question except I am looking for OS X software. I would like to be able to rip and compress my DVDs so that I can reasonably keep 5 or 10 movies on my laptop hard drive while traveling. I have found programs that work if you are willing to go through a multistep/multiprogram process, but is there an easy "click here to convert this DVD to mpeg4" type program for OS X?

-Mike