Just wondering if anyone here knows of any programs I can use (preferably free) to make Slideshows on VCD or DVD that I can play in a normal stand alone DVD player?

Windows Movie Maker?

Also try one of the freeware categories at snapfiles...
http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/gmm/fwmmcompiler.html
http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/gmm/fwcdburn.html

It depends on how elaborate you want it. I use NERO. With that I can compile a DVD slide show but there is no sound and it's difficult to sort images.

I beleive the lateest versions of NERO include better slide show capability.

http://www.nero.com/us/nero-up.php

--Don

I made a slideshow using Ulead DVD PictureShow 2. It's pretty good, fairly easy to use, and you can include audio files.

But for full-blown DVD movies (backup discs), I have Nero. I hate the interface and find it clunky to use, but there are some good web tutorials around.