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Keystroke expanders

Posted By: SMW on 2005-09-02
In Reply to:

Can anyone recommend a keystroke Expander software program? I have heard Instant Text and Shorthand are good.


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Load DQS first, then expanders. DQS will disable expanders otherwise. sm
Not sure about the compatibility of DQS and WebCorrect files.
pay by keystroke
Pay by keystroke?  Anyone familiar with this.  I am concerned as I have only been paid in the past at cpl.  I am currently being paid 10 cpl which I know is good in today's market and don't want to take a cut.  I type approximately 1800-2000 lines per 8/hour shift.
keystroke pay
How does word Expander fit into this kepstroke pay approach?
keystroke
means just that, you are paid for the keys you actually hit.  Thus "tp" with word Expander becomes "the patient" but you will be paid only for the "tp" you actually typed.  I expect this to be universal in the not too distant future.
keystroke
keystroke means everything typed - characters, spaces, punctuation. I work for them and have found it to be right on par with getting paid on a per line basis.
If they pay by the keystroke, does that mean
that you don't get paid per character when using ShortHand or a PRD? For example, I'm thinking that if you typed asap for as soon as possible you would only get paid for 4 Keystrokes (the asap)?
Info. on Keystroke Pro?
Anybody know anything about Keystroke Pro?  I believe they are based in the eastern U.S. and do mostly radiology accounts.
Info. on Keystroke Pro?

Thanks for the information.  I wasn't looking for a job there, they just left me a message about doing work for our acute-care radiology department and I was just curious since I had never heard of that particular company.


Appreciate the response!


 


 


Keystroke treads - sm
Wonder how long before the threads about Keystrokes will stay on this board before they are removed, like all the rest disappear?
getting paid by keystroke/DRC
I realize now there is a company named Keystroke, and I am not referring to that.  I simply want to know what it means to be paid by the keystroke and how this correlates to cpl pay.  Anyone with input on this?  Is this different from being paid by the character and what happens with word Expander programs?  Thanks.
Keystroke clarification..
I mean being paid by the keystroke, not the company Keystroke.  Sorry for the confusion.
Keystroke MT: E-mail me please if -
you work on an OPs account only.  Looking to find happy Keystrokes people on Ops accounts.  Never met an unhappy KS person :) but would like to speak to someone who does the above type account.  Thanks!!!
Keystroke Info
You may a wise choice, and welcome to Keystrokes! I will try to help you. I have only been there since January myself, so I cannot help on the day off question. However, there will be new health insurance in place by the time you are eligible. The owner of Keystrokes is working diligently to get the best rates and coverage. We still don't have that information yet, but we are reassured that we will be pleased with the new insurance. We also just started with AFLAC, but, again, I am not eligible for those benefits yet. I hope you get your other questions answered. I am very satisfied with company and hope to retire here. The owner actually encourages you to contact her with any concerns you need addressed. Again, welcome to Keystrokes!
Keystroke posters
It could also be because when they post questions on the other board which they are given access to when they begin working for KS - they are required to use the KS initials so that their supervisor can check up on them and see if they made an inquiry to the MTdaily board before leaving a blank.  Then if they haven't - it's a reprimand.  Been there - done that - glad it's over.
this must be a Keystroke representative...
nm
Keystroke Questions
Have been an MT at MQ for 9 years, thinking of applying at KS where the MTs seem to be much happier.  MQ provides all equipment so I am wondering just what I would need.  I make 9 cpl now, would their pay be comparable?  Would I need to purchase an expander?  Do they pay less for editing? Any help is appreciated.
If every keystroke is counted, how could it not
x
If every keystroke is counted, how could it not
x
Does anyone have the email for Keystroke? Thanks :-)
.
I just did a Google on Keystroke Pro and they are based in sm

The UK but do work in the U.S. too.  I could not find much except their website. 


Keystrokes Transcription Service in Illinois has customers and transcriptionists all over the United States with no work sent out of the country.  This is off their website.  There are too - www.WeTypeXray.com and www.KeystrokesTranscription.com.


Happy Weekend!



message for Keystroke staff
How long did it take from the time you sent in your resume, answered all questions, and took the test to be notified if you were accepted (or not)?
Current Keystroke MT's - please read!
Why or why do they never get back to you? If I did lousy on their test (which I very much doubt) at least write and tell me! I've got 25 years experience. I am currently doing radiology (and have been for the last ten years) and heard that they were a great company. But they never, ever get back to you when you test, e-mail, etc. Is something going on there? Are they still good to work for? I don't want insurance even! Just looking for a decent employer, good line rate and pleasant co-workers. On my part I am a hard and dedicated employee looking for a great company to affiliate with. Anyone have any info???
Are Keystroke part times ICs? nm
 
OSI and expanders

Can you use Shorthand with the program that they use?  Do they have a line count utility with their program?  Thanks.


 


expanders, etc
I am not sure what you mean by an Expander for an FTP program since an FTP program is one that you use to send and receive files, not type in.  If you are working in Word, you have AutoCorrect and AutoText.  There is also PC ShortHand and As-U-Type.  I think both of these have 30-day free trials.  There are others, but I am not familiar with them.  I did try InstantText once and found it very user-unfriendly.  Please E-mail me if you have questions. 
Are you able to put your own expanders in?
Then you will know them. A good book to pick up on Amazon is When the Name of the Game is Saving Keystrokes by Diana Rolland. At least, I am that is right. It is a very good book and has amazing hints at making macros.
They are not YOUR expanders!

They are not YOUR expanders. The expansion program belongs to MQ. They are your expansions created in a MQ owned system, proprietary stuff. Start fresh, why don't ya? Bad karma to drag MQ around with you. Also, if you go around asking potential employers if you can copy MQ's expansions, it makes you look bad - willing to steal from your employer, and stealing it is. Also puts tech support at your new company in a bad spot. Some will help you, but most hate it. It is theft. It will be a good refresher for you to remember what the expansions are, and its a snap to set them up in ExText.


Expanders

I am going to be buying one for my home computer and wonder which ones are considered the 'best.'


Expanders

I saw someone just today on ebay selling that program and I put a bid on it, and took the bid down.  My husband said that there was a good chance that it wouldn't work on my computer as the gal selling it said she tried it a few hours and decided against it.  The price was right - $75.00, but not if I couldn't load it and she couldn't guarantee that I could.


Expanders and IC
How will they know you are using Expanders as long as your work is accurate? As a contractor they cannot tell you not to use expanders. They *CAN* tell you they expect accurate work.

I personally have an issue with a blanket stop screwing up email when not everyone is screwing up.

I've come across MTs in the last couple of weeks answering questions for other MTs with 100% wrong answers!! And the company does still put out mass emails re errors. It's frustrating for those of us who DO do a good job to constantly be berated for the majority (it seems) who are unable to do what's required.

There's an MT who works for the company I work for who plows through reports and gets high line counts and 50% of her reports have to go to QA to be completed first. This ticks me off!

So IC MT- Do you work the way YOU need to do it and be proud that you are able to what so many seem unable to!
It's not word based - keystroke combos are different. NM
xx
word expanders
Shorthand is really good.  Go to PCshorthand.com
Spheris expanders
I work for Spheris in radiology and I use IT. They sent it to me. Works well.
I use a lot of expanders AND the best part of the KS
ortho accounts, IMHO, is that I have one doctor that I am responsible for in 24 hours. He is busy and predictable. It is the best way to run an account that I have ever been on, and Cheryl is tops in any book!
Word expanders

Does anyone know if most of the companies will permit you to use your own expander? I have used the same product since around 2000 and love it.  I have tried others and just do not like them.  


For those in the KNOW:  If a company provides software/computer, are most willing to permit use of this type of software in lieu of theirs? I would wish it to be negotiable.


Expanders/Normals sm
As the poster below states, the way this is possible is by working an account that uses many normals and that you can utilize your Expanders with.

Chances are whatever national MTSO you work for will begin to use VR technology sooner rather than later.

After all, if you can use your normals/expanders to make astronomical line counts due to the repetitous nature of the accounts, it will be much easier for those accounts to go to VR.

text expanders
anything you have saved in MS word version 2003 is completely compatible.  Instant Text version 3 and 5 are compatible.  i believe that smart type version 4 is compatible as well.  any version of pc ShortHand also works well. 
Especially if you use a lot of expanders and templates.
Then, VR is definitely NOT WORTH YOUR TIME.  If you type 5 lines an hour or something, yeah, I could see it working out for you.  However, if you are a good MT, not so much. 
you type 100 wpm without expanders?
Typos deducted?
For how long?
This I will only believe if I see it with my very own 2 eyes!
the MT service you are referring to is Keystrokes, so you are fine with keystroke :)
..
I cannot say enough good things about Keystroke, not just one month but years
I remember when they were having growing pains and I was with another company and saw them on this board. Lee even got on to defend her company. At least she cared and nothing but good things have happened to this company. She still cares. Recently complaints were of running out of work and needing secondaries, and high insurance. She contacted all MTs and has been working on and from what I understand is correcting all that. She is a hands on owner and appears to deeply care for the Transcriptionist even though she cannot see our faces.

All of my posting is from hands on experiences and if for 2 years I can say this is where I want to retire after all the other companies I have had to go through, I am only trying to help and not post pie in the sky hoopla to rope anyone in. This is a down to earth, straight shooting company that I am sure is in it for profit but deeply cares for the transcriptionists who work for her and not make that profit while we eat 69 cent pot pies because our pay checks are so crummy. it takes time even for a good transcriptionists to get familiar with a new account but if the dictation is fairly distributed (I mean first in, first out, unless other arrangements are made between you and the company) then there is hope and a chance to make a living. I don't think it is fair to complete with your team leaders for dictation because they will always win and you will be left with what they do not want as they have dictation goals too with some nationals along with supposedly helping you. That is my 2 cents.
Keystroke radiology - flexible shift or strict?
I have tried searching the archives and found conflicting information.  A few posts say you must work an assigned shift but other posts say work when you want.  Which is it, or is it both depending on the account? 
does Transolutions allow word expanders and if so,sm..
which one..SmartType?
word expanders. Shorthand.
x
Templates and word expanders
Figure out which abbreviations trigger an easy memory response. For instance, I've seen people put pn for pneumonia, but that just seemed to trip up my brain and so I put pne. Do you have doctors that use the same phrase over and over? For instance, nothing to indicate; that's nti. intrinsically and extrinsically is iae. no acute disease noted is nadn. You get more lines by typing (in the above example) 4 letters and getting paid for 22 (with spaces). I organized my templates by first 4 letters of last name and first 2 letters of first name - i.e., John Brown is browjo. (This habit started when I had a large hospital with 2000 doctors and this was the only way to keep them straight.) Then, if it's an H&P, it's browjohp; or discharge is browjods, etc. Seems complicated and you may find an easier way to catogorize, but once it's set in your brain, huge masses of data can easily be sorted through, accessed, appear on your screen, and half your typing is done for you.
Deventure and word expanders

I was just hired by Deventure and was wondering what, if any, the MTs at Deventure use?  I currently don't have one and before I buy one I want to make sure it will work with the platforms at Deventure.  Thanks in advance for any replys!


Debi


Expanders and Lotus Notes

Axolotl uses a great Expander called SpeedType.  It is a great program.  It will hold reports as long as 8 pages. The platform is one of the best I have used.  Very little, if any, demographics to input. 


We DO get paid for expanders & normals
nm
Does anyone know if you can move DQS expanders into another platform. nm
:
Looking for info on the TRX platform, what expanders I can use, etc. sm
I appreciate anything you can tell me.  So much depends on the platform and I am wanting information about the actual working for TRX.  Thanks.
My last timed test was 135 wpm, no expanders
I don't think it's that uncommon amongst MTs, actually. Our fingers and brain are on autopilot and know where to go. I've worked with other MTs who have a similar speed.