I got a lot to say but no time to say it. For now just know that I’m back on Linux and fighting with audio incompatibility. It sux because most everything else works on my fresh new Mint Linux (that’s right I’m on Mint now, not Mepis, not Kubuntu…) install. For what it’s worth I think my answers may be here. If you have a Creative Sound Blaster X Fi card and are considering installing the latest version of Mepis, (K)Ubuntu, or Mint, look at this guide: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=4823915&postcount=675

There’s a blurb about SLAB vs. SLUB don’t ask me what it means just follow along. I’m going to try this myself in another day or so.