What does this arts message mean?

[Robert Tilley <tilleyrw@cfl.rr.com>]

I am clueless as to how to solve this sound problem.  This has occured before 
to this user account.  Switching to root solves the problems with using sound 
but I'd rather not suid root every sound application I have.

Any ideas?

Sound server informational message:
Error while initializing the sound driver:
device: default can't be opened for playback (No such file or directory)
The sound server will continue, using the null output device.
-- 
Comments are most appreciated,

Bob