Setting up sound

[Michael ODonnell]

I've always just lucked out in the past and never
had to think about configuring sound support -
it's either already been working on the machines
where I've needed it or else I didn't need it when I
was configuring machines from scratch.  But now I'm
configuring a Debian desktop box and I've discovered
that I need an education about Linux sound support.
Can anybody recommend something that helps the newbie
sort out ESD versus OSS versus ALSA versus "native"
sound support versus whatever?  Please feel free to
weigh in with your preferences/prejudices, as well.

Also, I have a more specific question: I have
my system sound support limping along (badly
misconfigured, no doubt) well enough that I can listen
to Internet radio using the sound support provide
by the integrated Intel i810 on the motherboard in
the box I'm using.  Unfortunately, the sound is also
coming out of the PeeCee's speaker and I can't figure
out why, or how to stop it....  any clues?