kernel 2.4.4 will be hard to find, unless you go to a archive somewhere. I believe that you'll find the Live! is compatible with any fairly modern distro, meaning 2.4.18 and up. The audigy is supported as well. If you use ALSA for your sound, you'll have no real problems with the Creative cards. The audigy, I am told, is well supported and sounds quite good. Dunno. I'm using the SB Live! Gamer that my brother gave me for free. Not special install issues for me, and I've used many a distro (I'll list them if I have to.
)