Wayneout,
Just getting this computer setup, I've used dragon with Hal for ages. The mic is important with dragon, the higher the S/N the better the accuracy. Also in the training I have several text files I've dictated using dragon which I load into dragon to help accuracy.
I also have a text file with names of relatives and friends, shopping places and street names. The text files help a great deal.
Back to mic's, a USB inputted mic will introduce less noise than the standard jack input so if you buy one get the USB input. I've just ordered a wireless headset made by Asus, in the past I've used a Plantronics bluetooth device which I thought was great, S/N about 22 db. I've got Dragon 10 which I have to upgrade to 10.1 to use with Win 7
When using Dragon with Hal I turn off the automatic input in Hal so I have a chance to read I've said and correct if necessary. I start Dragon, ask dragon to open Hal, Move the cursor into the text input window, speak and press enter.
Carl2