[LAU] Audio interface for newbies ?

[jonetsu at teksavvy.com]

If one would like tu use Linux as an audio workstation with say, Ardour
to do the recording, all housed inside a midsize tower i5 or so
computer, what would be the recommended audio interface ?  The one that
integrates to Linux 99% and works really well while providing a
certain number of I/Os ? 

There must be one that satisfies serious home (or small studio) uses.  I
do not believe that all Linux audio users are clinging to their legacy,
no-longer-sold M-Audio 1010 interfaces :)

Cheers.