Are there any good video editing programs for free? I need to put mpeg-2 video onto a dvd, and create a menu, that's all. Ulead dvd Moviefactory 3 died on me and i don't know what to do.

Yes there are free ones that will do that google for "opensource movie editing" or some similar search phrase... mplayer might do what you want, I know it'll output to divx that you can then shuv on a disk...

does jahshaka work well? Is there any you would specifically recommend that can do menus?

Just get a macintosh. You will be doing yourself a huge favor with iMovie.

I'd recomend ConvertXtoDVD. It'll do exactley what you need. Plus it maintains quality and aspect ratios very well. Half of the programs out there stretch or compress the screen. :?