Take two tablets and an Apple

Apple is coming out with a tablet

What a wonderful idea! A tablet computer. So here's the confusion: Apple has a product coming down the pike, but does not announce nor clarify exactly what it is. But that doesn't stop everybody from getting excited, and the rumormongers from planting all sorts of ideas as to what to expect.

And you know what? That's just fine. That's just how Apple likes it. Kick up a storm of commotion, anticipation and attention. What will the actual tablet computer look like? That is -- if there actually will be one. And when will it be released?

The modalities of the personal computer has shifted. The huge desktop is the standard for business but no longer for personal use and pleasure. The laptop had advanced to take that role.

Mobility however has become the code word in much of 21st-century computing. The laptop was meant to make computing portable. The net book was meant to make it handy. The iPhone was meant to put it in your pocket. And the myriads of other such instruments to do similar.

So now we arrived at the tablet. A monitor without a keyboard. A flat screen. Much like Kindle and the electronic reader books. What will be its size, and its functions? I don't worry. Steve Jobs is a genius. All of Apple does not rest on his shoulders, but he is an icon and an inspiration.

Apple has dazzled in the past, and I'm sure it will do so in the future.

A good microphone makes a world of difference when it comes to dictation. If you want to dictate effectively and accurately, you cannot rely on the built-in mic that is found in a computer. Instead, you need to have a microphone that is very close to your mouth, preferably approximately an inch away.

There are various ways to test the microphone and to test its accuracy. Your mileage may vary but I think everyone has to find that which is good for them. With Dragon, there is an approved list that is posted on their website.

I found three types of microphones. For me, headphones seemed to be the most convenient because it goes where your head does and the microphone stays close to your mouth. Others, use a desk type microphone and bring their mouth to the mic. The third is a microphone that is found built into a camera -- such as a WebCam -- that you might be able to bring closer to your mouth.

Amongst headphones, I find two varieties: standard audio card, and USB. The audio card variety is easily found, but my experience has been that the USB mics work better. They have a built-in sound card within them and their audio signal goes directly to the motherboard, without using the computer’s soundcard.

I found a very good one from a company called Jabra. You can google them and see their various models. Good luck at it!