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I would not go near this company with a 20 foot pole

Posted By: Jo on 2007-04-05
In Reply to: Focus Infomatics - Michelle

I worked for Focus over a year ago for about 1 month and quit. As another person said, the staff in India (mostly men) treat US MTs like crap. I was constantly harassed that my QA scores were not good enough even though they were consistently 98% and higher. Also, when I was in my first week and needed technical help with their software, I was yelled at for bothering them. Also, I was always running out of work because they were keeping it all in India. I actually had to ask them to route me some jobs when I wanted to work (thank god that wasn't my main source of income). I quit immediately and have been with a strictly American MT company ever since and have never looked back. In fact, I shudder whenever I hear the name of the company.


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I wouldn't touch this post with a 10 foot pole. nm
:x
Taking a POLE? You mean a person of Polish descent, a barber pole, a pole cat?
wow
Taking pole. Which would you take? (sm)
I won't name the companies but have been offered a job from two, both paying the same amount per line.  One is as a employee with a company that so far I've seen mostly bad things about on MT Stars.  The plus side is they take out the taxes/social security.  The second is with a company that I've seen both good and bad things about on MT Stars but it's as an IC so I have to deal with taxes and social security.  The only reason I lean towards the first one is because I don't have to provide both parts of social security, but as I said, I've not seen anything good about them.  This is a second job to make up for the loss of overtime/bonus time no longer available.  What would you do? 
taking a pole
I'm with you
taking a pole where?
I think people from Poland are just fine and it shouldn't be painful to take one somewhere, should it?
Poll -- or pole dancing
Sorry had to give you a bad time.   All you are paying extra as an IC is 7.5% of the social security and you should be able to write off part of that.  You need to look at both, see if the IC offers something to make up the 7.5% you will be paying.  You also have to know that you have the capability of putting aside your own taxes and paying them if you do not have a husband that can overwithold them for you.  But again if it boils down to the scare of the taxes -- you only pay 7.5% more as an IC for the social security.  As an employee they withhold the taxes for you -- you still pay them. 
Taking a pole would be much too painful
aa
Today it's just the NORTH POLE!
Merry merry, happy, happy!
If there is a person holding each end of the pole, does that make them
:P
I took a test for a company and my foot pedal would work with the test and I had keep going back
over the dictation time and again to get all the words because I couldnt stop and start it by the foot pedal.  What can I do about this.
Hmm. Does it require pasties and a stainless steel pole?
.
Your foot
I have reread my posts and truly do not believe I slammed anybody. When a person stands behind a company and recommends it to a newbie (especially on a board where newbies come to seek information), they should at least know the general reputation of the company rather than just spewing out a recommendation of what can only very loosely be called a company and is, in fact, an outright scam. If you are going to step up to the plate and recommend something, those reading your recommendation have the right to know what you base that recommendation on. I merely wanted to know if she was affiliated with this company. I think that, given her post, it was a legitimate thing to ask. I never in my life have seen a recommendation for TranSCAM but I have had to listen to many people (normally poor women who lost money not easily replaced) bemoan the fact that they had been ripped off by them. Had I been stumping for TranSCAM, I would have expected to have the same questions asked of me. This is the adult world; we deal with facts as well as feelings. Not giving people misleading and potentially harmful information truly is part of the Golden Rule. I would not want someone to lead anyone I know and love into the scam of TranSCAM, nor would I want to lead anyone else there. Have a nice weekend.
Need a foot pedal
I need a foot pedal.  Could anyone tell me what I need to look for when I purchase one.  The ones I have looked at on the internet are between $125 and $200.  I would like to find one that is less expensive.
$65 usb foot pedal
It is an Infinity USB footpedal and works with Express Scribe, which is free, and many other programs. It is on tvps.com. You can find the compatibility list on there.
Only if you accept it. Put your foot down
.
Foot pedal
Yee gads, supposed to take a MT test tomorrow and do not have a foot pedal. Has anyone else out there taken one using their mouse and if so how did it work out? I have been to 4 different computer stores tonight. No one had a clue as to what a foot pedal is. Any info appreciated.
Foot pedal
Excuse me, but have not been on internet for a long period of time. The test I am taking has been sent by email, have Media Player there, but how do they connect? Don't fuss at me, just some help please. Thanks.
USB foot pedal

I use a USB foot pedal but it's a pain but there is a work around.  You need Express Scribe and to download the voice file there.  When you are all done with your note you need to go into the Editscript audio box, which is on the upper left hand side and move the slider to 97-98% and then press listen, listen to the end, then send the report. If you don't it messes something up on their end.  Send me an email if this is not quite clear.  I've been doing this for a year and a half this way but am not in the program right now.



Dee


9 pin foot pedal
I just began MT from home about a month ago. A friend who had gotten out of the business loaned me a 9 pin foot pedal. However, my brand new Dell computer (bought it in 7/06) had no serial port for a 9 pin pedal. I bought an adapter, but it never worked, so I had to get a USB foot pedal. Most of the newest computers have no place to connect a 9-pin. I spoke to Dell about this, and they said, the 9-pin is considered to be old technology.
Foot pedal
Wish I could help you.

I just crawled under my desk (it's scary under there) to see but my pedal is so old and worn, I can't find the info on it.


I use my foot pedal.
I like going back and forth between editing and straight typing. I make more money doing VR (eScription) and I produce a lot more lines.
You sure can use the foot pedal
kf
wav foot pedal
Help! I want to take a test for a company and need a wav foot pedal. I feel so stupid. I don't know what that means. I have foot pedals coming out the wazoo, one with a USB port and one that has 7 pins, but neither are working with the wav files that are coming through real player. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
more on foot pedal
Many accounts are C-phone, which they will rent to you if you don't have one (but you can usually find a reasonable deal on eBay), so you would use the foot pedal with that.

I don't remember all the computer requirements, but you do have to have high-speed internet, unlimited long distance for any C-phone or Lanier accounts (you get hired to a specific account), and anti-virus/spywrae software.
Foot pedal

On a typical online computerized transcription test, you can click on the voice file options, then right click on Save target as, then save the voice file on your PC, and then play it with your own player, and use your foot pedal.


well then shoot yourself in the foot!
I'm telling you, these people are as honest as they come. I see the problems posted here, but one never knows all the details behind the post either. My experience says they are great to work with.
We use a foot pedal. nm
xx
Could be the foot pedal....
BayScribe requires the Infinity foot pedal (not the DVI model). I had to purchase one for two of my accounts because the foot pedal I had wouldn't interface with Dragon or Bayscribe.
It has to do if you have a foot pedal or not.
If you try to transcribe these types of tests without a foot pedal, it is indeed impossible. You will miss words, because it will take an extremely long time to listen, type, go back, type, etc. Also, if your footpedal is not set up to back space enough (sometimes footpedals don't do so well with software), that too can be a problem. In my case, I had the foot pedal and I could go over it and be done with it without spending hours. But, in the past, I have done these kinds of tests without the pedal and it is murder. In my opinion, the companies are aware of this, and do little to make the potential candidates comfortable. When I used to hire, I gave the MT every opportunity and resource to do their best. Not with this company and several others. There are those out there who do a better test, believe me. So, it is not you or your friends. It is indeed the nature of the technology, and this particular company does not seem to care about making sure all goes well for the potential candidate.
yes, you need a 15-pin foot pedal
That is the only pedal that works with their platform.
foot pedal..
I have one that will not work with expresscribe at all...Luckily I have an older one that does...unless the job you are applying for can tell you how to use, I would watch for the format they use, or you will be buying another foot pedal to work...the one that does not work to test, works great on DocQScribe and Emdat, also Chartscript for sure.
foot pedals
foot pedal used w/ DocQScribe is not compatible w/ Express Scribe. I had to buy new foot pedal for use w/DocQscribe several years ago.
When I took it I had no foot pedal, either. But
Good thing, too - because I didn't know how to slow down the fast dictators. I think it took me about 7 hours to transcribe it all and then proof it.
RE: No foot pedal.
Without the use of a foot pedal an MT is likely to do much worse on a test because replaying words and phrases is too much trouble and takes too long. The company should understand this and fix their testing procedures but don't count on it.

It happened to me once with a different company. They did not take that into account at all. I concluded that they were incompetent at setting up a credible test and wrote them off for good.
Wrong foot
If you're saving reports, I hope there is ZERO identifying data in them. (Look up PHI and HIPAA)

Other than that, make up a flyer and cold call the medical buildings. Since it is the holiday, take a page from the Pharm Rep book and take a gift with you- cookies, etc-- they will remember that.

You also need to determine the rate being paid in your area. If you go in too low you'll be sorry and if you go in too high you'll likely get no work.

Good luck! Having your own accounts is 24/7 and the volumes are no more predictable, but you then at least have only yourself to hold accountable :)
Thanks, I don't have the foot pedal, had to do it with keyboard. SM
YUCK! NOT FUN!
Foot pedal EScribe
At the top of the express scribe box . Click on settings, then click the control tab, if you have a USB pedal select VEC USB, then click the Foot Pedal Control Set up wizard. Follow the prompts to finish off.
I can't get my foot pedal to work
Any suggestions on how to make it work?
Thanks for this. I feel like if I could get my foot in the door,
xxxx
DB9 foot pedal converter--

For anyone who has converted a USB footpedal to a DB9 serial can you PLEASE tell me how you did it???? Did you have to buy another part to connect the footpedal USB to the USB on the DB9 serial adapter?


From what I am told my serial USB is a *male* and my foot pedal USB is a *male* and they don't sell serial adapters that are *female*.


Boy I hope this makes sense... I am just really confused. I am supposed to be starting for Sten-Tel and this has been my only problem.


 


Thanks a bunch!!


I didnt know if they had the 9 foot pedal in USB or not. Where did you get yours.
Your right.. the 9-pin is becoming outdated and obsolete. If there is a USB one out there that works then I need to get one. Can I ask where you got yours and have you tried it on a laptop?
EMDAT foot pedal
You have to purchase their own foot pedal at $99.00. No other foot pedal will work with their software. Good luck!
EMDAT foot pedal
You really do not need a foot pedal with EMDAT. I have been using the platform for over 6 years and use the hot keys (function keys).
ICs should foot the bill, not employees.

Are these people employed at Keystrokes or are they contracted MTs paying for long distance and equipment?  Ehhh?     


Do you have employees or do you have ICs?  I see a difference there whether you are transcribing in an RV or an office, still the same should apply.  If an MT is classified as an employee, the employer should provide equipment free of charge and pay any and all expense incurred while that person is employed.  IC is a whole different ball of wax.   


Bring your own foot pedal...
SPi just told us former Cymed emps that, from now on, everyone has to provide their own foot pedal. (CyMed provided software and foot pedal; we've always had to use our own computers...but I'd rather do that and keep some modicum of my privacy instead of using a CO computer where big-boss-brother can watch my every move) :S

Foot pedal not required
I have been transcribing with the Emdat platform for over 6 years and love it. I have never used a foot pedal. You can use hot keys (F1, F2, F3, etc).
Foot Pedal Problems
I (and all the other MTs) had a problem with my foot pedal when I worked for a previous employer. We were told we just had to deal with it. We were basically shown how to repeatedly slam our foot on the pedal to get it to do what we wanted. You can imagine what this did to our line counts! Anyway, they later realized (i.e., knew all along) that it was because the software was not compatible with the foot pedal. That was changed, and the foot pedal worked fine.
Not a foot pedal issue - I used my own.

Actually, it's more like $165+ but who's counting when it ain't gonna be paid!  This isn't bashing.  It's trying to call them out--some of these outfits deserve a bad rap if they do this to an MT trying to make a living.  My work was never criticized, QA was good.  It's MTs treating sister (term loosely used) MTs badly.  That's all I will ever say about them again.  They cheated me out pay for work  I performed for the, without the slightest apology or explaination.  I quit working for them, not the other way around.  Why should I continue working in good faith when one pay period went by, then another...  I'm done.  Thanks for the forum.  Good luck to all current happy folks there.   


How do I get my foot pedal to work?

Several potential employers have sent wave files.  I downloaded them, opened them with media player but my foot pedal does not recognize the file. VERY hard to transcribe by starting and stoping the recording manually....no time for that.


Any helpful insight would be appreciated.  I've contaced the companies for help, but really not helping. 


Do you need a special foot pedal for DVI?
nm
Anyone know how to get a foot in the door @ TransTech
I have read a lot of great things about them, and would love to know if anyone knows how to get a foot in the door. I just went to their site and submitted an application, but haven't done the testing yet.

I have over 5 years of MT experience, and am sick and tired of working for crappy companies that have late paychecks and run out of work! :( I want to get somewhere and get comfortable!