soundcards under linux

Your Linux Distro's website will usually have a list of supported sound cards. I think that the Creative series is probably best supported.

You probably don't want BeOS, especially because Be is bankrupt now and has a shrinking user base!

"If you teach a child to read, then he or her will be able to pass a literacy test" - George W.

Another place to look is the <A HREF="http://www.alsa-project.org" target="_new">Alsa Project</A>. Take a look at their soundcard matrix, to see what's supported.

I don't think the OS matters too much. What is probably more important is the Soundcard, driver availablilty, and the Software you are planning to use.

I really like BeOS, and I reckon the <A HREF="http://www.openbeos.org" target="_new">OpenBeOS</A> guys might just pull it off, but if the apps or drivers aren't there, then BeOS won't be a good choice (I know some beos users swear by its audio ability, so there must be stuff out there).

On Linux, for sound quality, some folks rave over turtle beach, and ensoniq, but creative is probably the best supported.

BTW, make sure you get a quiet cpu cooler, too.