I use fraps, batch compress the resulting large files with virtual dub and a xvid plugin, then edit them together with Windows movie maker.
Fraps makes huge files, about a gig for 3 minutes at half size with game resoloution at 1024x768, resulting in 512x384 video. I set Virtual dub (free download) with xvid (free) at single pass, and index 2.5 for a rough compression ratio of 10x. Smaller files are much easier to edit, and easier on hardware.
Windows movie maker is a free download, and may allready be bundled in your computer, if not head on over to *shudders* the windows web page and snag it. It should be enough for now, and is simple to use. Did I mention it's free?
From there you're on you own. Have a clear objective when editing, or you'll end up with crap. I'm not saying that I havn't produced crap in the past, but I'm learning.. You can see some of my videos at
www.tribes0.com Some of the video's were made without fraps, or xvid, but windows movie maker was used in all.
