well congrats on getting a windoze soundcard working in linux with no linux driver :)

alsaconf and gstreamer-properties are your friends for the rest.

after running alsaconf you will need to adjust your mixer one more time.

also don't have more than 'alsa-utils' booting up when you start the pc.

having tooo many programs starting at one time will make an edgy sound system even more so. but don't be afraid to make sure all possible sound systems are installed nevertheless: ie: esd, alsa, oss, arsts, etc. this way when a program that requires a specitic server-- it will be installed already.

this is where 'webmin' comes in handy (for seeing what programs are starting at boot time). but your system may have something similar.

gstreamer helps you set up audio and video in an easy maner. it will let you test to see if sound (server) is working by you choosing oss, alsa, etc.

you'll have to tell the system seperatly (depending on your manager) if you want system sounds to play and which ones.

when you go2 install pluggins for your browser, i'v found out that installing each specific plugin is better than installing one of those 'catch all' ones like plugger or mozplugger. and again, don't install more than one for any kind of feature (ie one plugin for mplayer, and one player for pdfs, etc. is what you want and all you'll need to make them work correctly).

good luck again.