Microphones, Headsets and Webcams

Microphones
If your 56kbps modem allows voice transfer or you have broadband you can speak in real time using a computer microphone connected and correctly configured to you computer.  You can also use the microphone to record minutes as a Dictaphone using voice recognition software to transfer the speech into text in a document.

Headsets
A computer headset can be used in the same way as the microphone but is more commonly used for computer games real time interaction with other players in the game.

Webcams
Capture video as a digital camera but also allow for real time video transfer to another computer on the internet. Broadband connectivity for your computer is necessary for it to work at a functional level.  The webcam comes into its own when used with a microphone for video conferencing or private chat as body language can be observed.