Software-Audio for Linux?

Oscarfish asks: "A pattern I'm seeing in newer PC motherboard chipsets is integrated audio, usually through a software-only solution. I know it's not an option for power users, but do OEMs have any hope of using a soft-audio setup for prebuilt Linux machines? It's usually an AC97 audio codec that's being used, popular in both Intel's i820 (Camino) and Via's Apollo Pro 133A chipsets, often complimented with an AMR (audio-modem riser) slot. What's the driver situation under Linux, and will this ever be of practical use? Unfortunately it seems like an audio version of a Winmodem to me...but aren't there beta Linux drivers for those now?"