1. A method, comprising the steps of: calculating a probability of erroneously inputting any given character of a sequential string of characters through an input device, wherein the erroneous inputting of a character of the string of characters comprises any of poor spelling by the user, mis-striking a key, wherein the wrong key is entered, or mis-actuation of a key, wherein a key is not entered properly and either the character is not entered or is double entered; generating variable error costs, wherein the variable error costs are determined by the calculated probability of erroneously inputting any given character of the received sequential string of characters through the input device; calculating the editing distance for each of at least two candidate words by using the generated variable error costs, wherein the editing distance is the degree of attenuation between the candidate word and the received sequential string of characters; and selecting a preferred candidate word from the at least two candidate words by using the calculated editing distance, wherein the preferred candidate word has the smallest calculated editing distance of all the calculated editing distances of the at least two candidate words.