1. The ALSA sound driver was originally written as a replacement for the Linux kernel sound for Gravis UltraSound (GUS) cards. As this GUS replacement proved to be a success, the author started the ALSA project for a generic driver for several sound chips, with fully modularized design. It is compatible with the OSS/Free and OSS/Linux sound drivers (the drivers in the kernel), but has its own interface that is even better than the OSS drivers. A list of features can be found at http://www.alsa-project.org/intro.html. The main page of the ALSA project is http://www.alsa-project.org/ From ALSA-HOWTO The ALSA sound drivers have proven to be such a success that they have replaced the OSS drivers in the Linux kernel. From Binh