1. A computer implemented method for semi-automated dialing, useful in association with a personal appliance having a display, a standard keyboard upon which some keys have both a numeric or symbolic and alphabetic interpretation and a microprocessor capable of dialing an input sequence from the alphabetic, numeric, or symbolic keys or a combination of both, the method for semi-automated dialing comprising: receiving an input from the keyboard, wherein the input includes a sequence of characters, wherein said sequence of characters is determined to be a proper numeric or symbolic sequence of characters where a proper numeric or symbolic sequence of characters does not include a first digit that is “1” or a “0” and wherein each character of said sequence is determined to be a numeric or symbolic character; determining if the received input has an alternate interpretation, wherein said alternate interpretation comprises at least an acceptable sequence according to a telephony signaling convention; displaying the received input along with any alternate interpretations on the display; receiving a selection from a user, wherein the selection is chosen from the displayed input and alternate interpretations; and dialing the selection.