[lathiat]

Did you actually use Linux audio before pulse audio?

It sure was great only using sound from one application at once.

[kasabali]

I did, and contrary to unfounded meme, this was actually possible before PulseAudio was introduced.

[boffinAudio]

Used JACK extensively before Pulseaudio came along .. never had any issue with it that Pulseaudio would solve.

[lwswl]

Of course having audio switch when you switch applications has its benefits as well...