Saving autocorrects and macros......

you must say YES to saving the global template when you exit Word each day. sm [2008-08-26]
If you are not prompted to save your global template each time you close Word, then do the following: On the Word tool bar go to Options, then Save, then make sure the box next to Prompt to Save Normal Template is checked.

saving normal dot [2008-08-26]
Problem is with some of the proprietary software created by some MTSOs, the normal dot still will not save even when you have theprompt, all you get is a message that normal dot is open elsewhere or some such nonsense, and then you are offered the opportunity to save normal.dot by another name, and even then it still won't save. I posted earlier an autoclose macro that may solve this problem; however, it probably would be a good idea to also use an autoexit macro as well to cover all bases and I will post both here. If that does not work for you, I do have another work-around but it is a lot more complicated. You can solve part of the problem by attaching and add-in your own templates, and save your macros and your autotext there instead of normal dot, but autocorrect is saved in normal dot, and you have to save your normal dot to save your autocorrect: So try these macros; cut and paste into your macro editor: Sub AutoClose()On Error GoTo ErrorHandler:If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.SaveMSGBOX Normal template is saved Exit SubErrorHandler:MSGBOX Normal template is not savedEnd Sub Sub AutoExit()On Error GoTo ErrorHandler:If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.SaveMSGBOX Normal template is saved Exit SubErrorHandler:MSGBOX Normal template is not savedEnd Sub If everything is saving as it should, then you can just delete theline of code that has the msgboxso that word just closes without having to click okay. Write me if you need some help doing this.

word has both autotext and autocorrect plus macros [2008-08-19]
I really don' t see all that much need to buy a ShortHand program, especially when you are just starting out and probably put out a lot of money already. Just click on your toolbar, click on autocorrect, and you will get a menu that you can use to add in your new expansions. if you would like to access this toolbar from your keyboard, you can create a macro that will do this. Sub ATxtShow()Dialogs(wdDialogToolsAutoCorrect).ShowEnd Sub Paste this into your macro editor, and now record a hot key macro on whatever key(s) you would like to use. I use alt-5, but you can use any alt or control key combination you have free. I certainly hope this macro posts properly, I tried 3 times to post a macro that to count characters, and each time a quote mark was removed by the system, but I hope this will post properly. I will follow up on this immediately after posting and make sure it is correct.

Did I mention I am saving for a couple of things? sm [2008-08-14]
I have some divorce debt yet, not of my making, which I am paying on. I am a little concerned about taxes, though I think that is a nonissue. My credit isn't good and I need a new vehicle, so I am saving to pay cash for a used car. For work, I am an employee with a split shift. I work as an IC to deduct my business expenses somewhere. My IC work is transcribing and doing QA being paid hourly. I don't work at a frantic pace, I can't. I am sick again right now (I have an AID). Sometimes I can hardly move, but I still work. Not good for anything high pressure.

Hi, Lisa. Have you added macros to SM [2008-07-28]
your Expander yet for many of the common VR changes--such as for backspacing over a comma, adding a period, and capping the first word of the new sentence? How do you drop common words like, say, she into a sentence on the run? I hit k and in it goes, but I'm off scanning the next line by then and don't actually see it. Do you constantly use your program's function for jumping the cursor to the point of dictation and vice versa (assuming it has one)? This is a big speeder-upper. And a reality that's hard for some to run into: Editing skills and talents are different than transcribing skills and talents. Reading fast and accurate becomes big. Punctuating fast on the run was always desirable, but it's more significant now as the ability to simply get the letters on paper becomes less so. Are you one of those this work suits or one it doesn't? If yes, keep working on speed. If not, move on sooner rather than later.

Sure, eScription clients are saving a million dollars by [2008-06-25]

saving autocorrect [2008-05-16]
i saved my autocorrect onto my hard drive and want to add this to my laptop. i saved the program on the laptop but how do i save it to autocorrect? Any ideas

saving autocorrect [2008-05-16]
i saved my autocorrect onto my hard drive and want to add this to my laptop. i saved the program on the laptop but how do i save it to autocorrect? Any ideas

Saving autocorrects and macros...... [2008-05-15]
Does anyone remember how to save autocorrects and macros to exchange from one computer to another, or one version of Word to another? TIA for any/all help.

Is this book (Saving Keystrokes) worth [2008-03-25]
buying if I already use lots of expanders? I think I have almost overdone it in some ways. I need to delete some obscure ones I made that are taking up letters I could use for something more critical. Wondering if that book would help or if I have a good enough handle on the concept already. ? Does the book cover anything other than making expanders? Thanks!

Sheila, saving one from "Micky Mouth" mistakes is actually a big benefit. SM [2008-02-22]
I make few typos as I go along these days, compared to without an expander. Although some peculiar things can get inserted into a report when the typo turns into an unintended expansion. But as Shipaddict says, there's just no comparison.

I break my macros down. There may be [2008-02-14]
a part that is always, always the same and that will be one macro. The next sentence might be the same, except for right or left and I'll make that a separate macro. I used to do lots of cataract surgeries and 99.9% of the time the only thing that changed was the eye having the surgery and the diopter of the lens so in that case I could do the entire report, one for left, one for right, and then insert a stop for the diopter so I could fill it in. The doctor's didn't even dictate a complete report so you didn't have to read through the report anyway to make sure they weren't changing something. They would just dictate right, right, right, xx diopters.

Whole report macros [2008-02-13]
How many of you use whole report macros for specific dictators, and do you find that it is helpful? I have tried it and it seems like it can be kind of a wash, because many times I had to delete, change, or move things around. It seems a lot of experimenting needs to be done for me to figure out what does and doesn't help with my speed. Any thoughts, experiences appreciated!

macros [2008-02-01]
Something similar happened to me not too long ago. What I found was that my Normal.dot file was corrupted. If that is the case, you need to rename the file to something that Windows will not recognize, such as *corruptfile* and then reboot your computer. Once it restarts, Windows will automatically rebuild another Normal.dot file that is not corrupt. Of course, you will lose any information you have already stored and you will have to start all over again building your macros. This is what happened to me and I ended up losing five years worth of stored macros. I still have not rebuilt everything that I lost with one corrupt file. Good luck.

Try saving it in several different formats until you find one that works. [2008-01-16]
.txt, .rtf, .doc A quick Google search turned up the link below.

Are you referring to expanding text or real macros? [2008-01-11]
Can't tell you what you are doing wrong if you don't tell us what you are doing.

macros HELP!!! [2007-12-22]
I need serious help recording macros. If someone has macros for the following actions, I would greatly appreciate it if you could email them to me as an attachment. I need one for jumping that uses ?? and ctrl+J to get from ?? to ?? and one that starts automatic numbering in the 1) 2) format flush left. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You can run F keys and macros with IT. Look at Commands [2007-11-28]
in the manual or help file.

Does your Word version let you make Macros? [2007-11-25]
I have never been able to figure out how to do special format characters in ShortHand, but if your Word version allows you to make Macros, you can set up a Macro that will do the same thing as ShortHand. If your transcription platform does not accept Macros, you might still be able to “trick” it by then linking your ShortHand to your Word Macro. It works for me but every Word version and transcription platform is different, so you may have to play around a bit before you hit the right combination. If you need specific instructions to set up the Macro let me know. Good Luck.

RE: Macros [2007-11-09]
I don't use macros, I just use the Word Correct option, always have. But, now I use pcshorthand and I never have to keep making the shortcuts and stuff over and over again.

Word 2007 Macros [2007-11-07]
When you open your Word document, there should be an option in the toolbar above that says Developer. Enter Alt F8 to view your macros, but I think you have to manually hit the Record Macro to enter new macros. p.s. I prefer the previous Word version over this new one.

Shortcuts for commands and macros [2007-11-03]
Anyone know if InstanText can handle code (like WordVBA macros) in the Expanders like SH8 can? Instant Text lets you add commands and macro keyboard shortcuts into a glossary entry.You can use easy-to-type short forms for these entries that execute a command or a macro. These command and macro entries are also very much used for editing. See post below. MarianneTextware Solutions

saving autocorrect [2007-11-01]
could someone please explain to me exactly how to save autocorrect. I really am not too computer savy and need very explicit directions. Also, i do not know how to use auto text. Please Help

SAVING AUTOCORRECT [2007-10-27]
How exactly do I save autocorrect. I have sooo many in my old computer and recently purchased a new computer. How do I put all my corrections onto my new computer. Can I use a flash drive or do i have to save it onto a disk. Also, how can i easily save all of my kodak easyshare pictures onto a new computer. Thanks, everyone is always helpful.

SAVING MY DATA [2007-10-27]
I have an external hard drive and want to save my data from my old computer to my new computer. How exactly do i do that.

saving normal dot [2008-08-26]
Problem is with some of the proprietary software created by some MTSOs, the normal dot still will not save even when you have theprompt, all you get is a message that normal dot is open elsewhere or some such nonsense, and then you are offered the opportunity to save normal.dot by another name, and even then it still won't save. I posted earlier an autoclose macro that may solve this problem; however, it probably would be a good idea to also use an autoexit macro as well to cover all bases and I will post both here. If that does not work for you, I do have another work-around but it is a lot more complicated. You can solve part of the problem by attaching and add-in your own templates, and save your macros and your autotext there instead of normal dot, but autocorrect is saved in normal dot, and you have to save your normal dot to save your autocorrect: So try these macros; cut and paste into your macro editor: Sub AutoClose()On Error GoTo ErrorHandler:If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.SaveMSGBOX Normal template is saved Exit SubErrorHandler:MSGBOX Normal template is not savedEnd Sub Sub AutoExit()On Error GoTo ErrorHandler:If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.SaveMSGBOX Normal template is saved Exit SubErrorHandler:MSGBOX Normal template is not savedEnd Sub If everything is saving as it should, then you can just delete theline of code that has the msgboxso that word just closes without having to click okay. Write me if you need some help doing this.

No I'm not making it harder. you shouldn't rely on the 'prompt to save' as your only def [2008-08-26]
Unfortunately, some proprietary platforms seem to run two instances of MSword (as best as I can tell) which prevents you from saving your normal dot. My post was addressed specifically to those who are encountering that problem. An Autoclose/AutoExit macro should save the normal dot for you, and may be the ONLY way you can save it, even if you have selected the prompt for normal save on your options toolbar. In any case, autoclose and/or autoexit macro that saves your normal dot will ensure that most, if not all of your recent autocorrect/autotext/macros present in your normal dot are saved, should you have an unexpected power failure or crash, orif you are using a template that is provided to you by an employer -- a template which may have been programmed in such a way as to prevent your normal dot from being when you exit word. In any case, whether or not the prompt to save normal template is selected really shouldn't affect whether or not the normal is saved, the normal should automatically be saved as you exit MsWord. The fact that normal.dot doesn't always save is, or worse vanishes entirely,is just one of these weird idiosyncracies which sometimes makes word (which really is a pretty wonderful program) so frustrating to use. (Hint, back up your normal.dot -- frequently!) In my experience, the only time that a template reliably does not save is if you are writing macros (as opposed to recording macros) and if you fail to manually save your changes inside your Editor before exiting word. I have had the experience more than once of opening word to find that my newly programmedtemplate is gone -- sometimes representing many hours of work-- and that is where the prompt to savetoolbar option really can be useful. In short, I am fully aware of the prompt to save normal in the options toolbar (and mine is selected to prompt) and if I had thought this wasbest solution for the professional medical transcriptionist,I would not have bothered posting this information in the first place. So to make a long post short: The best solution to make absolutely sure your normal dot is savedis to useautoclose and/or autoexitmacros that instruct word to save your normal template, and don't just depend on the save normal prompt on your toolbar. Regard it as an extra precaution, which is what it really is, don't depend on it, it can get unselected, and poof your normal.dot is gone! For someone who just writes an occasional letter or term paper on with MSword the occasional loss of the normal.dot, albeit aggravating, probably isn't all that serious, but for the MT who depends on her paycheck to support her family, losing her normal dot and its 37,954 autocorrect entries is a real economic hardship. She just might appreciate knowing that there is something she can do to prevent this from happening, even thoughyou happen to think it is complicated. Isn't this forum here to provide fellow MTs with useful information they can use or not as they please?Medical transcription after all, isn't a game or a hobby, it is real grown-up work, and it is prudent to take the time do real grown up things to maintain the tools of the trade. Unlike some posts I have seen, particularly on the word-help forum that just make me want to scream, I will not post useless or wrong information -- even if it is complicated -- after all it's just information. Writing autoclose/autoexit macros to save your normal dot are not pointless or useless exercises; and in any case you can disregard my posts, or not, as you please.

Try using an autoclose macro [2008-08-25]
Since I don't know what platform you are using, this may not work for you -- if the normal dot is open somewhere else. I do have another solution if this does not work; if you like, you can write me and I will send you the suite of macros and instructions that I use that will work around this problem that occurs with some transcription platforms. I don't know anything about this acl file that is supposed to be saved but maybe the person who has written me about this will put up a post that will provide some information on what needs to be done to do this. This macro needs to be posted into your macro editor. Since I have had problems in the past with macro code not posting to this forum correctly, I will take a quick look at it and make sure it's okay, and post a follow-up note that it is okay to use. Sub AutoClose()on error resume nextIf NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.SaveEnd sub

Helpfull information on Word. [2008-08-23]
Hi, Listen, I am working at present. I used to use WP when I first started college and even graduate school. Anyhow, I have a specialist certificate in Word, and I can tell you just about anything you would like to know, including macros. Just give me a hollar if you are still interested. Happy to Help out, Hope

Word Expander for Word? [2008-08-22]
After years and years of using WP 5.1 we have switched to regular old word... i hate change but I know it's time. The autotext in Word seems to be a bit... different. Does anyone have any helpful hints? Now the fun part begins of adding in ALL the macros and shortcuts...

Conversion programs (see message) [2008-08-22]
If you have an Expander program for WP5.1 (DOS?), there might be conversion macros available on line that could import your list into AutoCorrect/Text with possibly some clean up required.Istill havemy old DOS PRD Productivity Plus that I used a few years ago and was able to convert it into ShortHand (currently use), which I have in turn imported into AutoC/T (and vice versa) when needed.

Me 2, 15-20 years ago I was making about $70,000 a year [2008-08-21]
Now it seems, I'm just scraping by, juggling the utility bills and paying whichever one has sent me the 24-hour disconnect notice this month; it's become a grim miserable job compared to what it was. I'm nearing retirement age, but I doubt retirement is going to be in my future for a very long time. Thesingle worst thing that ever happened to us was going from the gross line count to the character count, and not adjusting the line rate upward to parity -- not to mention the adjustments that should have been made to accommodate all the extra time spent struggling to make sense of huge increase in ESL dictations that has occurred over the last 15 years, and of course there should have been COLAs as well, which we all know has not happened. In the 1980s, with the advent of powerful and affordable PCs, free lance transcription became much more common. So if you were experienced, disciplined and organized, you could be much better off economically by working for yourself -- although there were definitely advantages to working in-hospital. There were great benefits and the salary was indeed enough to support a small family (albeit very modestly.) For a number of years during that time,many of us worked part time in the hospital for benefits, but made our real money at home. But in my case, the time came when it just made no economic sense to work in-housel, I was better buying off buying private insurance for major medical care, tax-deferred annuities, and self-insuring the little stuff. I would just pick up tapes from the hospital every morning, and drop off the work (whichI printed out) from the day before. I usually had 24 hours to transcribe tapes which I did during school hours, when things were peaceful and quiet. I transcribed a couple thousand GROSS lines day. Every single character line counted, so by taking advantageof headers/footers,creative macros, word expansions,etc., I really boosted my productivity far beyond to what I could do in-house on the self-correcting Selectric, Wang or Mag Card, or whatever 10-years behind technology was currently being used, plus all the office distractions and politics, and I definitely did not to have to work 24/7 to earn a good living. (Oh how I loved WP5.1!) In fact, 2000 gross lines a day, 5 days a week at 10 cents a line (courier 10-pitch font, one-inch margins)was very very do-able for an experienced productive acute-care MT, provided she had good equipment, good reference books, and stayed focused. It would take about 5-6 hours a day to get that amount of work done. So figure the math out for yourselves, that's just a tad under $50,000 a year, certainly not a high standard of living in those days but adequate when it meant you could stay home and be actually be a full time parent when your children were home from school, and very comfortable, if you were married with a working spouse,or had rerliable child support, or social security for your children (if you were widowed.) If you chose to work some weekends and evenings, it was not that all that difficult to hit that $75,000 a year mark, which I did for a couple of years so I was able to pay the tuition at a good boarding school -- and cruelly thwarted my teen-aged son's only ambition in life, which was to become a high schooldrop-out. Things have gotten bad, no doubt about that, and the worst part of it is, is that most of the big MTSOs are still charging the hospitals as much as we used to earn, and sometimes even more, but the MT is no longer earning it, and often can't get enough work to meet the line counts required by the MTSOs for benefits (although the cost of those benefits are reflected in the cost charged to the hospital.) I don't know what the answer is, as the electronic immigrant is such a huge threat. It's pretty darn awful, and I feel very very bad for those of you starting out in this field, and I do hope things change for you (and that someday soon I can retire.) And the point that the person made is that that she was worth $75,000 a year, not necessarily that she was getting it or could get it, and I absolutely agree with her. This is a hard tough job if it's done right --it's mentally tiring, it's hard on your back, your hands, your neck (and your behind.) It requires a lot of time -- it requires focus, you must stay alert, and must give 100% of your attention to what you are doing 100% of the time, it takes education and brains -- and now a word of truth which my 35+ years experience gives me the right to say aloud -- it's not fulfilling, wonderful,lovable and enjoyable, it's often as repetitious and tedious as an assembly line but infinitely more frustrating. PS:I recall one of my colleagues from those early years of my career, now gone from this earth, telling me that the 1960s were really the fat years, that things actually began to decline salary-wise, in real dollars, in the 1970s.

The Reason. [2008-08-20]
I was accepted to work for her. She is very nice. The main problem is that when you start, you get sent a ton of paperwork about how to do the job. I don't remember exactly how many pages you end up getting, but it seems as though it was over 100 pages of information to absorb/learn. It is wayyyyyyyy overwhelming and extremely hard to ever remember all that stuff. Plus, tons of macros to learn also. Her set up is extremely cumbersome. I don't know how anyone could ever remember all of it. I ended up resigining the next day or two after hire and ended up getting a regular opthalmology transcription job elsewhere, shortly thereafter.

Good things take time. (this is addressed to OP, BTW) My first 15 years or sm [2008-08-19]
so of MT was without the benefit of using an expander. When Expanders became the norm, I was reluctant to try, thinking that it would be more cumbersome than by not using it at all. Was I surprised and pleased I had ventured into the Expander world. Since you're at home you can add entries on your free time, even if you do 5 or 10 at a time, when there is no pressure on you. Start out with expanders for the patient, -year-old, the names of your doctors, anything that is repetitious. You will be surprised how much time this will save you. My initial expander, PRD, actually calculated saved Keystrokes and productivity. Back then I was saving 30%! The expander is especially helpful for those crazy terms that are hyphenated or have camel caps, those that I always had to look up to check myself. Create your brief form by just using straight lowercase, for instance, duoneb for Duo-Neb (or d-n). Speed will come, don't worry. Good luck to you! (Posted in the wrong place--I always do that!) This is in response to OP.

word expander [2008-08-16]
I am freaking out. Setting this home thing up is the hardest thing I have ever done in my whole life. SoftScript does not automatically have a word expander. Where do I get one? I have Vista. How do I do this? Is there free ware? Can I just make a million macros in Word 2007? I want my word expander!!!!!!!!!!!

All you do is on your other computer with your dictionaries....inside [2008-08-14]
copy whatever you named your SPF file, like I have a main SPF file and another for dictation macros for the account I am on. Just copy them to a flash drive or whatever medium you use to backup your SPF file, plug your flash drive (which is what I use)and then when it comes up on your computer where you need your SPF file, copy it and put it in your ShortHand file. You could have copied your whole Shorthand file and then put it on your new computer or new hard drive (that is what I do because I don't like the new Shorthand versions). Hope I explained this clearly.

Did I mention I am saving for a couple of things? sm [2008-08-14]
I have some divorce debt yet, not of my making, which I am paying on. I am a little concerned about taxes, though I think that is a nonissue. My credit isn't good and I need a new vehicle, so I am saving to pay cash for a used car. For work, I am an employee with a split shift. I work as an IC to deduct my business expenses somewhere. My IC work is transcribing and doing QA being paid hourly. I don't work at a frantic pace, I can't. I am sick again right now (I have an AID). Sometimes I can hardly move, but I still work. Not good for anything high pressure.

cherrypicking co-worker issue (meant to post it on this board instead of MQ board) sm... [2008-08-13]
I need opinions please...Iwork on a very small account with just a handful of ladies. Because of the nature of the software (trying not to get too specific here) we can see who is working online and what reports they are working on in real-time... We have one cherrypicker on the account. Instead of using FIFO method, she retrieves the reports by author ID - usually picking the better dictators of course. She knows I busted her and she did admit to it inon our worke-mail (not too bright)which I am saving just in case she gets out of hand - so far I'm still able to make money since really most of the dictators aren't bad. But every night it's starting to wear on me since she's screwing up turnaround time. I don't really want to cause a big uproar being that it is such a small account and I need to work with her almost every night usually one on one. What would you all do? I want to handle this as delicate and professional as possible because we can't really afford to lose anyone on this account. In other words, I refuse to stoop to her level by cherrypicking right back. My boss has asked me several times why so-and-so does so much more than I do...I just bite my lip at that point but one of these days I think I might explode and just open up a can of worms....

I do it all the time - sm [2008-08-12]
I live in Las Vegas and go to San Juan Capistrano all the time, staying for a week or two there. I used to use my laptop, but I have found a much better way. I use GoToMyPC and work directly from wherever I am on my computer at home - this way I have access to all my saved macros and shortcuts. It costs 20 bucks a month but is totally worth it. I also am gone racing about every 3 weeks and work from Mexico or whatever state I end up with, so I get to work and play at the same time

I went from 2400 lines to 1800 lines [2008-08-10]
a day when I switched from clinic(through an MTSO) to hospital work. Not only was the clinic work easier withmoremacros (and less providers to learn, 12 vs 300+), but I was typing in straight Word (as opposed to Softmed/Chart Script). So you see, it really variesdepending upon thetype of work as well as the platform used. That said, I am so much happier typing the 1800 lines per day (I make over $15 per hour plusan incentivefor any lines in excess of 1200 per day) plus a great health package/benefits,AND approximately 5 weeks of paid time off per year. In my opinion, hospitals really arethe best employers WHEN they appreciate the work we do. My advice for you is not to judge a job by any one criterion but rather the entire picture. The 'extra's can really add up. Good luck in your job!

No Experience jobs/Deciding to go 2 school. [2008-08-09]
Hello everyone. I am trying to make up my mind on going to a MT training class.I have a few questions that i hope someone can help me with. 1.Is most of the work being sent overseas? 2.Are there any work at home companies that hire new grads,or would I have to work in a hospital...and is(hospital) and option with no experience? 3.If I can find a wah job how much should I plan on saving for equipment? 4.What is normal pay as a newbie.I know that it depends on the company,but what is average? Thanks for any help that you all can provide.

long reports [2008-08-08]
I do independent medical exams, which are usually quite long, for insurance companies and legal firms. they are dictated by MDs for litigation cases. The shortest ones are 4-5 pages, and I have had some up to 70-80 pages, so don't just look to medical facilities but try attorneys and insurance companies also. the company usually contracts with only one or two providers to do their exams so you are doing the same dictator(s) constantly so you get to really know their terminology and style. Mine use standards PEs, standing conclusions, etc., so I get to use a lot of macros. Because they are long you usually have a longer timeframe to complete them, too. it's a good way to go.

MT, whenever I see someone saying a good income isn't possible SM [2008-08-03]
I immediately suspect that person is still typing most dictation out slowly and laboriously, letter by letter, word by word, like in the old days. Not as bad as trying to do this work on a Selectric, making corrections with Liquid Paper, but still way behind the times. I have over 37,000 entries in my Expander program--words, phrases, paragraphs, whole report sections, and macros--and I'm still trying to catch up with people who use a lot more. But just for instance, two Keystrokes are what it takes me to separate a run-on sentence into two and start the new sentence with a capital The. My ShortHand knows I'm not really computer literate, so it recorded the strokes I use to type that normally and asked me to give it a name. I chose .t--the two keystrokes. Dr. Samangaranapour is drsam. And so on. And on. For a slow typist, with the help of my expander I'm now record-breaking fast by the old standards. And that's how it's humanly possible, and why so many people are still making good incomes on the current pay rates.

About $800. sm [2008-07-18]
I've been an MT for 9 years. Average line rate is 8 cpl. I have Instant Text I have MPLite I use extensive macros and templates I do all clinic notes so it is very repetitive and I have the same doctors on a daily basis. I work about 8-9 hours a day.

Some suggestions [2008-07-16]
One of the things that I learned as a rookie 24 short years ago, was to keep a notebook for your word book. Index it alphabetically. What I was taught to do was to enter words, drugs and other terms that I had to look up - the first time I had to look them up. Make sure that when you make your entries that you use appropriate capitalization. This was a life saver for me. Everything is in one book. You can also make notes next to your entries, for example if a particular dictator uses a particular word or phrase repeatedly I would not that next to the entry. This came in very handy. You don't have to keep your entries in strict alphabetical order, just by letter should be fine. You will get to know which terms/drugs/phrases you are having to look up often. It is a great way of reinforcing what you are hearing. I also agree with the other MT who suggested you get a notebook. When transcribing on a new or unfamiliar account I would always print sample reports and keep them in a notebook also in alpha order by dictator. Of course if you do this you need to black out any identifying patient information. Expanders are also great. Use your imagination when using Expander programs. A book worth taking a look it is one about saving keystrokes. Sorry the name escapes me. There are lots of hints for combining different shortcuts. Time is money in transcription and the more shortcuts you can use will make you a more productive MT. I use Instant Text and it's worth its weight in gold. Plus, after 24 years, I need to take care of my hands! A comfortable chair is a necessity. I have recently begun using a balance ball chair. After years of sitting and transcribing and the back, bone and joint issues that go along with that, I have found this to be a tremendous relief! I find that I am not as stiff and sore as I was when I was using a regular office chair.

I also use Microsoft Natural Ergonomic and ... [2008-07-16]
just purchased a store-return new backup keyboard through Amazon for around $25 dollars .. New, at my local CompUSA they were close to $60 regularly and went down to around $40 on special ... that store closed and I'm not sure where I would buy one now (most places do not carry them) ...the time and angst spent replacing a keyboard in a hurry is REAL and well worth preparing for (also keyboards keep getting redesigned which is really annoying when you're typing all day and have to switch in a hurry -- so it's great to have an old model on standby -- I last had to replace my keyboard when I popped off a key that was sticking and it went flying and I have NEVER found it ... it was an N) I've found this particular model to be comfy and durable --- I didn't think I would like it and I really do -- it's quiet and has good key play. My next purchase is going to be QuickLook Drug book on DISK since it can do wildcard searches of partial lookup -- my old web site for that changed and is not helpful and there are SO many bad Google entries. Anything that makes you more comfortable with less fighting your desk also helps --- a decent chair and glare protection, a foot rest . and SAMPLES when I start a new account I save almost every report I type, even if they are full of blanks -- which I fill in when I review my QA -- invaluable for saving time figuring out HP mumbles and particularly op note I use RED NOTEBOOK from Horus development (link below) ...I am not aware of anything comparable ... it's searchable. You can, for instance, uploada hospital medical staff roster if saved in TXT, edit and print out lists, just fabulous for new accounts with new terms / medications/ names for things. Good luck.

Are you on a network or single computer at work? [2008-07-15]
Lots of things can make this happen. It depends on the normal.dot if that's where you are saving them. Some networks won't let you save to the normal.dot.

No, you are not the only one! [2008-07-07]
I have been MTing for a year now. I am also constantly checking the job boards hoping to finally find the perfect fit. I left my first companybecause of lack of work. Right awayI found an IC job with a small MTSO that made it sound like there would be enough work to achieve at least 800 lines a day, but then they changed their plans along the way, and now I can make only about 400 lines a day.All I want is to have the steady workload that is promised when hired. It seems as if at this stage in my career I am stuck. I no longer qualify as a new graduate. At the same time I do not yet have the minimum of 2 or more yearsof experience. I went to one of the top 2 schools so that cannot be an issue. One of my biggest mistakes probably was to get into clinic work instead of acute care because lately there have been only very fewads on the job boards for clinic work. Summer is slower anyway with doctors and patients being on vacation I guess. I have passed several tests, but I am just not willing to work for 5 or 6 cents per line. Unfortunately, you often are not told how much they pay until after taking their tests. I would really like to know why it is so hard to find an MTSO that lives up to his/her promise. I would also like to know why these companies rarely respond when you submit your resume.Even after taking their tests, they often do not respond. We as MTs are supposed to be fast, efficient, know macros, and all kinds of things. How difficult and time consuming is it really to send out a quick response to every applicant saying that they have no openings at the moment or that you did not pass the test? I really like being an MT, but I never expected it to be this hard to find a reliable andhonest MTSO that delivers to the same extent that they demand of us. I want nothing more than to find that perfect fit and never have to look for another job again. Will this dream of mine ever come true?

I love my job too... [2008-07-04]
Been doing it at home as an IC for 5 years. It was tough in the beginning, but once I got experience under my belt and learned what kind of companies I wanted to work with and what kind of work I wanted to do, it got a lot better. I love working at home. I love not having a boss. I love not having crazy, witchy, gossipy, coworkers. I make very good money. I have flexible hours. It is not a difficult or stressful job. I love not having to commute. I love saving money on office clothes, gas, and childcare. I love it. I don't really care what people think about medical transcription, if they respect the profession or not. It pays my bills and allows me to stay at home and be my kids' mom. Actually, truth be told, I think most of the time they are jealous anyway! I do get worried sometimes about voice recognition and offshore outsourcing, but then I come here and look at the job seekers board and there seem to be plenty of openings there. I admit that my pay hasn't increased tremendously over the last five years, but it has some and between that and my lines per hour increasing to approximately 200 per hour I am very happy with my hourly wage. I also have some accounts of my own, which pay even more, which increase my average total hourly wage. No complaints here!

shorthand [2008-06-29]
anybody know how to turn on bold in ShortHand when saving a sentence/word? TIA. new MT