Please, Ubuntu, do not embarrass me again!

[Rashkae]

Chan Chung Hang Christopher wrote:
>> I can't begin to understand why anyone would want to use pulseaudio on
>> OSX given how many problems it creates on Linux and how smooth the
>> audio experience is on a Mac (or even on Windows). I don't know what
>> is really meant by "match the sound system of Solaris and Mac OS X"
>> but it sounds like torture to me.
> 
> pulseaudio gives us somewhat equivalent capabilities that the sound 
> systems of Solaris and Mac OS X provide. Like multiple apps sending 
> their output to the sound system simultaneously. Direct alsa access does 
> not allow that.

This is one thing I don't get...

I love pulseaudio, I think it has solved lots of problems (particularly 
the ease of network audio configuring now.)  But being able to send 
multiple apps sound through alsa is something I've been able to do for a 
very very long time, no special software mixing needed.  (with the 
exception of usb audio devices, my understanding that they couldn't 
handle more than one open sound channel or some such)