Quoting jan <jan(a)talentex.demon.co.uk>uk>: To get an audio device to work with all software under linux, you need ALSA support. See http://www.alsa-project.org/alsa-doc/ for a complete list. None of the above are supported by ALSA. Firewire device support currently relies on the freebob project. Freebob doesn't currently provide an ALSA driver, but jackd includes a freebob backend. This means, that while you can't use normal consumer audio software (typical mp3 players, flashplugin, etc), you can use a firewire device with software using jackd. (Some mp3 players, etc. also support jackd). Freebob is aiming for proper ALSA support, but they aren't there yet. For which devices freebob supports, see: http://freebob.sourceforge.net/index.php/List_of_Supported_Devices moment it looks like MOTU devices will never get support, as MOTU is refusing to release specifications. The same goes (sadly) for the RME fireface. Sampo