Incomprehensible Volume Control

[David Abrahams]

When I open my volume control panel, I get a wide variety of panels
and options (and many more if I go into "preferences" and check some
checkboxes there), with no explanation of what they mean or how
they're connected together.  When I go to my local music store and buy
a mixer or PA system, it comes with a schematic diagram that shows
where the sound goes and where the faders and switches fall in the
signal path.  Is there anything like that for the Gnome volume
control?  Without it I am utterly lost and I end up trying random
things until I get an effect I can live with.

Thanks,

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
http://www.boost-consulting.com