What is the best way to control volume on a PC?

I normally set my speakers at their maximum volume and make volume changes in Windows. Is this the best way?

I use Logitech Z-2300's, btw.

Thanks

griffin powermate is cool ^^

Do you leave the speakers volume on full when you use this? I have volume control keys on my keyboard which do the same thing I think.

well, my system is a bit more complicated. i have a remotecomputer which is only there for audio.

basically the system looks like this:
foobar=>kernelstreaming=>m-audio revo=>digital out=>standalone d/a converter=>preamp=>amp=>speakers

i bypass windows' internal mixer. i only control foobar with the griffin (including mute)

besides that i use replaygain so i don't do many changes to the volume

i have set the volume of my preamp to a level which is normaly too loud for my taste. i turn the volume down then in foobar but still have enough "headroom" if i want it louder.

i plan to buy an IR interface (send+receive) for my audio-computer. then i can control the volume of my preamp via griffin.

It depends on several things, including your soundcard, as to whether this way is "bad" or not, but speaking *very* generally, no, this is not the best way.

The best way is to adjust the volumes in Windows to the highest volumes you can without creating distortion, and then to use the volume controls on your speakers/amp to adjust the output volume. This gives maximum possible fidelity.