[Cialug] Modern audio

[Daniel A. Ramaley]

What is the "preferred" method of configuring sound on a Linux box these 
days? I use Debian Testing on my desktop machines, and for several years 
have been moderately happy with Alsa (though it has never worked as well 
for me as the older OSS did back when that was more common). But i 
learned recently while installing a new machine that Debian removed the 
alsaconf program that is used to configure Alsa. They included in the 
notes some hand-waving about that program only being used for old ISA 
sound cards, but that's not entirely true as it is the only way i know 
to get Alsa working with minimal fuss on modern PCI and integrated sound 
cards.

What do other people currently use? Is it time to try Esound? 
PulseAudio? Jackd? OSS4 (now that it is finally easily available)? 
Something else? I just want something that can--without much 
administrative effort--make the speakers do what an audio player tells 
them to. I don't need fancy mixing of multiple streams or ultra low 
latency or any other advanced features.

-- 
Daniel A. Ramaley
Network Engineer 2

Dial Center 118, Drake University
2407 Carpenter Ave / Des Moines IA 50311 USA
Tel: +1 515 271-4540
Fax: +1 515 271-1938
E-mail: daniel.ramaley at drake.edu