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WOOPEE!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!! The doc SPELLED the patient's name!!!!!!!... - Posted By: sis

Yippee!!!!!!! I am jumping around like a little kid!! Did someone finally get the message through?? I CAN NOT SEARCH THIS ACCOUNT FOR PATIENT NAMES!!! (or is it just a fluke?)

Had to share. TeeHee

Wages in general - Posted By: KMS

In looking over *** jobs, under the pay/compensation it seems everyone is putting "competive wage/compension". Can anyone give me some idea of what that means....I am currently getting 8.5-10 cents for IC work. I have 10+ years and made it at Healthscribe for 5+ years, which was definitely the worst work ever. Can I do better? I had my CMT and let it expire years ago.

per word versus per line - Posted By: need a change

I have never been paid by the line before, and I was wondering before I go any further, what would be the minimum requirement of lines per day for most services? I want to be full time and have benefits.

Thanks

To The Singing MT - Posted By: Listenup

Thanks for your nice note a few pages back. I had the pleasure of seeing Jill in her home town of Philly when she was touring with Sting a few years ago--amazing! BTW, one of the entertainment shows was playing "Golden" last night while they were talking to some of the Golden Globe winners--it was perfect!

Cold fingers - Posted By: Cold fingers

Even though I keep my house comfortable, I find my fingers getting cold when I type. Is it just me. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Are there any other free players besides Express Scribe? - Posted By: Sheryl

I have many problems with express scribe. Hard to explain, but it stems from stopping and starting the recording just one time too many, and the express scribe "freezes up" for awhile. Sometimes I have to sit and wait for 2 minutes before it will play again. I have uninstalled/reinstalled it - no help. This has been going on for years and I am sick of it. Sometimes I have to reboot my computer to regain control of it.

Anyone know of any other free players out there I could try? Thanks!

I need a free FTP client - any recommendations? - Posted By: thank you

Aaaargh - Posted By: ER MT

Don't you just love it when the doctor who is dictating starts a dictation, then gets distracted, puts the phone down, walks away and forgets you are still hanging on the other end waiting for him to come back and finish the dictation??!!! Of course, I had to keep listening because I wasn't sure he would return and finish . . . but alas . . . no, he just walked away and I listened to nothing for five minutes.

What is (sm) and what is the little flame thing beside some of the posts? - Posted By: Renee

I've been trying all day (in between reports and rants) and I just can't figure it out on my own and it's driving me nuts.

Yahoo Email-sm - Posted By: Curious

Anybody's Yahoo E-mail account been down today?

Anyone using VoIP (internet phone) with a - Posted By: ??

DVI or C-phone to transcribe, and does it work well? If so, what company do you use? Are those companies cracking down on transcription like the regular LD carriers?

MT Testing - Posted By: Angie

Should testing transcription be done verbatim or do you suppose it could be lightly edited? I was not sure about this. I have never had a company instruct me on what they prefer.

Thanks

free voice file software - Posted By: need help quick!

I am in need of a software that plays .dvf files. I currently use Gear Player, and although it plays a multitude of different files, I can't get it to play .dvf. Does anyone know of a free one online I can try? Thanks!!

Question about CMT test - Posted By: old lady

I've been in and around this business and medicine now nearly 30 years and I'm going to give in and take the test at the non-stop urging of my employer. I've been half studying when I can, mostly the test portion of the disk. I hear from some people the test nearly made them cry, some say it was a breeze. Can anybody out there tell me what it was really like?

Quick punctuation help! - Posted By: Lin

I told him to clean the area with hydrogen peroxide, and, after that, he can apply the Neosporin ointment.

How would the punctuation be on this sentence? Did I do it right?

Thanks in advance for the help..

New Job - Posted By: MTMommy

I start a new job today. Wish me luck.

Getting my ducks in a row for my big job search. I just bought a Dell laptop for X-mas. SM - Posted By: MissouriMT

It was used when I bought it and I want to make sure that I have everything I need to work from home on it. The PC I'm on now will be going back to the hospital. It is a Dell Latitude. It has a Pentium IV processor, 512 mg of RAM, 40 gig hard drive, wireless internet plus ethernet card, Windows 2000. Will that laptop suffice for working from home? I assume it will, but I just want to make sure before I starting applying places.

Thanks!

Anyone take the CMT test recently? - Posted By: jeannal

I was just thinking about taking it and wondered if anyone had any advise.

transcription matchmaker - Posted By: Sue

Has anyone ever heard of or used them?

Looking for an MT - Posted By: Pamela Copeland

I am trying to locate someone who is an MT. Her name is Novella Smith. I met you at the STOP Organization in Suffolk, Virginia. I am interested in talking with you about some training. Please contact via e-mail at ladyp85@hotmail.com. Thank you.

Pam

Career Step Coding - Posted By: mt2

Has anyone done this course through CareerStep? What did you think? Were you able to get a job when you finished? How long did it take you? TIA

Ear pain - Posted By: eloop

Does anyone suffer from severe ear pain on the outside of the ear? I have it to the point of not being able to wear my headset on that side and would like to know what others have done in the past. No infection, just cartilage pain.

Any tips on becoming an MTSO and landing first account? - Posted By: sm

How much experience does the average MTSO have when they step out on their own?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Happy New Year to ALL!!!nm. - Posted By: MDI-MT

When you take on too much work. Getting 2 PT job offers plus have FT with national (sm) - Posted By: Feast or Famine

Two local doctors offering me 2-3 hours per day each, plus the FT (about 6 actual hours of typing a day) with a national.

One doctor is orthopedic, the other vascular surgeon (H&Ps in office). One is a mumbler, the other has a lisp. The national job is radiology (fairly easy - would be faster if I could master IT, though).

What should I do? Am afraid I will take on more than I can handle and at same time, refuse a job that I later will regret. I need the money, needless to say. Anyone ever face this?

Lost in translation - Posted By: SS

This patient died and the ESL just said "expired on ____and the patient was satisfied dead."

Back from my vacation w/o the kids, for those - Posted By: Just me

that want to know. The wedding was beautiful and perfect weather for it. St. Thomas and Tortola islands I highly recommend visiting, especially Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas and the baths of Virgin Gorda on Tortola. Gorgeous, breathtaking, absolutely stunning views, heaven. First 2 days I kept breaking down because the kids weren't there but then loosened up after I talked to them at our first stop. I have never eaten so much wonderful food in my life.

Kids survived w/o us and had a ball with grandma and grandpa and are already asking when we're going away again. Hard to say who had more fun, us or the kids, according to some of their stories. It was our first cruise and we're looking into booking a family cruise because it was just perfect. Having a hard time adjusting being home because I want my ocean view back...lol

medical transcription bloopers - Posted By: Snow Bunny

	118 Medical Transcription Bloopers.
	The patient comes in for a lesion on the penis which has been present on and off for 2 years and seems to be getting smaller. Patient comes in complaining of hoarseness. The patient apparently lives with his wife and does a fair amount of talking. The left side of his cranium is missing. He does have well-known hemorrhoids. Reflexes in the upper extremities are normal and symmetrical. Lower extremities show an absent right ankle compared to the left. I also gave her a back book to start doing exercises in. He does have a fairly high stress job and appears in the clinic with his lap-top computer today. The patient wishes to establish with a neurologist with the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. She is on SEPTRA right now for a sinus infection which she was given over the phone. She has not been taking the medications that were prescribed. She notes that smoking marijuana currently helps most of her symptoms. The patient reports that since she had a colonoscopy, she has noticed some problems with her short term memory. 28 year old male comes in requesting a work release for his foot. She reports some hearing loss, with difficulty hearing her husband. She has a long history of asthma; usually she has found that this is exacerbated by being around moles. During our exam, this man was shaking: basically he was shaking his right leg when I was watching, and he was not shaking his right leg when I was not watching. According to the EMT who brought him back in to the room, when he went outside to get the man he looked completely normal, walked in unaided with no problem, sat down in the room and began shaking and having what he calls "spasms and seizure-like activity." He has good deep tendon reflexes on the left side, which he did not shake until at the end of the exam: I think he may have forgotten which side was supposed to shake and which side wasn't. Her next complaint is abdominal pain that she notices only when the wind blows on her abdomen. He describes the ear pain as being in the ear. ALLERGIC TO MORPHINE, VALIUM, AND HER RELATIVES. This is her first period since vaginal delivery of a three month old baby. The patient fell while rollerblading on his left hand. Fracture to the proximal phalanx of the right fourth toe on the right fifth foot. Multiple strains and sprains secondary to motor vehicle accident of the neck, shoulders and low back. The patient cannot touch her shoulder blade with her right shoulder. The patient was taken to the microscopic room. The pain starts right after he eats meals located around his belly-button. The patient presents for follow-up of thoracic back strain, which occurred 03/16/96 while twisting in the dishroom. Patient comes in to Urgent Care feeling concerned because at work he feels slightly confused and disoriented. At work he usually carries on 3-4 conversations at a time, and now he only is able to carry on one conversation at a time. Admits to being hypochondriacal about things recently and in fact she has had to stop watching the TV show "E.R." because she gets every symptom that she sees. Her husband had received the "husband of the year" award two years ago, but has since moved out and is living with a church secretary. The patient was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the sink, waiting for coffee to perk (drip) and a throw rug slipped out from under him and his foot hit the wall. ...has a cousin who developed curly hair after having a child. They will be following up with Dr. Knackstedt in July of this year just to check on his ears. 15 year old boy was accidentally hit with 5 BB gun shots while he was jumping on a trampoline. (Re a 5-year-old Urgent Care patient:) Active young man who is very conversant with respect to dinosaurs. The patient has a brother and sister who are normal. She will now be living with father and strep-mother... Mother comes in for consultation re beast-feeding her infant. She has actually not felt well since her daughter was born three years ago. About 8 a.m. this morning was the last time she had an inhalation. She reports that, since the auto accident, the pain in her low back is much improved. She has had two flares of the previous sinus tract I identified. She states it is related to having sexual intercourse, and since stopping that she has had no further problems. She fell and hit her left forearm against a rock which remains painful and swollen today. He sustained injuries to his forehead and face when he fell from his glasses. I recommended to mother that she get an over-the-counter ear removal preparation. 48-year-old male with left index finger laceration which occurred 45 minutes before he presented to the Urgent Care department on a piece of glass. She gets headaches with her migraines. I recommended MIACALCIN, 1 puff in each nose on a daily basis. ...and has two cousins identical to her father... He also has external hemorrhoids, which he says he likes to keep to himself. ...he is seen today with his daughter Judy; but I guess not with his boy Elroy. Healthy-appearing child with upset mom. She also complains of pain in her right ankle. She says she is not sexually active. The patient complains of low back pain. She is able to move all of her legs. The patient reports a fatal reaction to IODINE in the past. The patient wonders if she can fly as far as her ears. She was also given an in-the-ear hearing aid whose patient was a husband of ours. She was the diver of a car going approximately 25 MPH... The patient was given Dr. Davis' car and instructions were given to him to follow up with Dr. Davis within the next week. FAMILY HISTORY: Significant for a half-brother of unknown origin. Past medical history is significant for a basal cell carcinoma on her head which was removed recently. After a suicide attempt, the patient was given a choice of admission to the Johnson Unit or vacation with her sister. He has been monitoring his blood pressure. Does not drink. Does not use much soap. She will lie down, feel a bit better, cook her husband's breast, then her own breakfast, eat, still feel tired and no energy until after lunch. She is 15 years old. Chronic runny nose for 20 years. Stepped on a TETANUS SHOT. He has some concern about chewing on vacuum tubes when he was an electronic repairman as a child. Eat before the meal. He did develop perianal skin irritation with some skin rash extending out onto his bucket. She has had 3 pregnancies, 1 liver birth and 2 spontaneous abortions. I plan to see her in two weeks and reassess her injured parts. She apparently has had a cold for several weeks, but just started to turn green the last couple of days. Husband is somewhat negative and difficult to live with. She is not interested in a trial of medication for this. She did suffer loss of consciousness and was told by a chest x-ray that she had a lung contusion. The patient has not been using METROGEL because it was too drying and her face peeled off in chunks. She has had surgery when her husband was in the Navy for hemorrhoids during a pregnancy. She does admit to bruxism with what few teeth she has. She smokes one glass of alcohol per week. . . . concentrated on chest, abdomen and all four lower extremities. He was evaluated in the Emergency Room where he broke some ribs. The patient has complaints of problems maintaining an erection for over a year. Despite both standing and lying down, I was unable to demonstrate a hernia. The patient had a trial of PROZAC on which he became violet. Examination of the remaining hand is within normal limits. The wound is doing fine, without complaints. She is not clear on why she has seen me in the past, but states that whatever I treated her for had cleared up with whatever treatment I had given her. Exam demonstrates a chile who is modestly febrile. Basically what happened is she hit her right knee against her chin, biting her tongue causing her neck to be thrust to the left. Now she has pain in her left arm. He is employed as electrician but does not really remember any specific incidence which could have precipitated his hemorrhoidal problems. The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it had completely disappeared. The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1983. The patient has left his white blood cells at another hospital. She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in early December. The patient left the hospital feeling much better except for her original complaint. Because of her complaints we gave her an endoscopy so she could look into the problems she is having. The patient complains of post-coital spitting. She now wears a 42, cup size 8 bra. She may ultimately be a candidate for reduction. She was the belted driver in the back seat. He does want the TV louder than his wife. The patient was found to have an extremely small facial nerve for the size of his body. This is a 48-year-old white female black lady. 19-year-old vehicle involved in a female accident. When not inebriated, we have always found David to be a delightful and cooperative person. Elderly male, seeking physician with hearing deficit. Otherwise, I have recommended rechecking in a few weeks just to make sure that the ear is completely gone. She has breast-fed the baby with frequent loose stools. She was the driver of a car that was seatbelted and turning left . . . She did have a female sister who committed suicide. Apparently the next day she developed this rash on her hands, and the feet had gone away. Would like for mom to contact me in about a week to seven days if it is not a lot better. "It should be noted that from now on ________ will be weighed with gown and panties only. At work yesterday, she was lifting a 5-gallon bucket of pain. Last time he ate was about 8 hours ago when he had a bowel of cereal. She was seen at Sacred Heart emergency room last night for an episode of profound weakness and lightheartedness. She is under some increasing stress in her household due to the presence of three teenagers. His appetite, as far as his parents are concerned, is probably normal in terms of volume, but he is the worst eater of the mother's children. A 78 year old woman told her PCP "I just KNOW I have BEGONIA". This man says that he thinks he has a sinus infection. Recently, he laughed with his mouth full of lasagna and got some of it up his nose. This man was seen by me a month and a half ago and got over it.
	Forwarded from Frieda Norris.

Anyone know anything about T-C Transcription - Posted By: mjb

in Florida?

response from my senator - Posted By: more on how not to hire Americans

Thought I would share - still sick over this issue

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the use of foreign temporary workers and business personnel by U.S. firms, as well as the economic security of our nation as a whole. I appreciated hearing from you on these important issues.

As you may already be aware, the use of temporary foreign workers and business personnel by U.S. companies has gained a considerable amount of attention in the past decade. Foreign nationals admitted to the United States are known as non-immigrants and come to the U.S. on a variety of employment visas, including the predominantly used H-1B visa.

The economic prosperity of the 1990's fueled a drive to increase the levels of employment-based immigration. The nation enjoyed its longest economic expansion, and the unemployment rate had remained low. At that time, both the Congress and the Federal Reserve Board expressed concern that a scarcity of labor could curtail the pace of economic growth. A primary legislative response was to increase the supply of foreign temporary professional workers through fiscal 2003.

The recent economic downturn in the information technology sector may have diminished demand for H-1B workers in that sector and has raised serious questions by many individuals like you about the lay-offs of American workers by U.S.-based corporations in favor of H-1B's non-immigrants.

Proponents of the H-1B argue that increasing the levels in the admission of foreign workers is essential if the United States is to remain globally competitive and that employers should be free to hire the best people for the jobs. Opponents, on the other hand, argue that any further increases, temporary or permanent, are unnecessary as there is no compelling evidence of a labor shortage in these professional areas that cannot be met by newly graduating American students and by retraining the existing U.S. work force.

As you may know, the House passed H.R. 4818, the Omnibus Appropriations bill of 2004. This legislation provided funding for the majority of foreign and domestic federal programs for fiscal 2005. Unfortunately, this bill contained a provision that allowed the first 20,000 H-1B beneficiaries who have earned a master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education from being included in the annual H-1B visa cap of 65,000. This provision effectively extended the visa cap to 85,000.

While I support keeping an appropriate level of legal immigration, in my opinion, we must work in Washington to ensure that current American workers are not losing their jobs or being forced to survive on depressed wages because we are voluntarily importing far more foreign workers than we need through the use of nonimmigrant visas. During the 110th Congress, you can rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind and take action as appropriate to promote economic growth at home for the benefit of both current U.S. workers and future generations of Americans.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please feel free to contact me again on any issue that concerns you.

Do not download the Panda titanium software for virus checker and spyware protection. It corrupted - Posted By: use care

my entire computer, had to have service man fix it to the tune of $150.00.

Anyone know how often winners are posted - Posted By: PAMT~MDM

for this month's drawings?

Offshoring and tax time. sm - Posted By: k

Don't forget, a lot of these big box tax preparers and even some local accountants send the work to India to be done. Ask ahead of time. I did, so I went back to doing them myself.

Which is the best ???? - Posted By: Rosie

PC ShortHand or Instant Text? Are there any SH users out there that have switched to Instant Text and think it is better and helps you produce more lines? I am thinking of switching myself and not sure it is worth the extra (almost) $100. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Do any Med-Quist employees - Posted By: curious

know whatever happened to Mark Forstein? He used to be the president of Transcriptions, Ltd. before it was bought out by MedQuist. He was Dave Cohen's cousin, I believe.

Just a Reminder International Spellex Week ends Dec.11 Hurry and Save 10% - Posted By: spellex

Spellex Corporation is proud to announce International Spellex Week (Dec. 5, 2005 - Dec. 11th, 2005).

Please visit http://www.spellex.com all this week and save 10% on any of our popular software products.

Question inside about Renting from Rent-A Center. sm - Posted By: justme2

What was your expeience? Is it very expensive? I was thinking about renting a laptop computer to use for work on vacation for a couple of weeks and not ready to invest in purchasing a new laptop yet. Can you rent things for about a month or do they require longer?

Thanks for any help you guys might give.');>

I need help. Just read this. I need to tell you. - Posted By: NeedSomeone2Listen

I am tired of my life and sometimes get upset that I was ever born. The more I try to do something good for myself the worse I seem to do. The worse and worse I get the more depressed I become. The more depressed I am the more I wish I didn't exist.

I have absolutely no friends, no job and about $8 to my name. I'm hoping to find a buyer for an old paint sprayer I have to pay my electric this month. I have taught myself to eat just one small meal per day to cut back on how much I have to spend on groceries. I live in the dark because I'm afraid of making my electric bill higher. I have wanted to write something like this for a long time because I have nobody to tell it to, but I have been unable to gather the energy to do it until just now.

I made a 1310 on my SAT without studying and forgetting to bring a calculator. I was accepted to one of the state�s most exclusive private universities (I chose not to go) although I never really tried in high school. In working for other people, I was the youngest Customer Service Manager ever at the Wal-Mart I worked at when I was 17. I used to provide telephone tech support for Dell computers and was always one of the top 3 performers week after week out of a total 250 that worked there. I also was an electricians assistant, firefighter/EMT, surgical aide, autopsy assistant, office manager for a 3 physician practice, concrete pumper and flooring installer. On my own, I have owned at 6 businesses and 2 corporations including medical transcription, stock trading and fully organizing, developing, publishing and distributing a classifieds newspaper from offset printers to 12,000 people. I have owned hundreds of domain names and built approximately 100 totally unique websites.

I have visited 3 countries. I have climbed 21,000ft. volcanoes, slept in the Amazon rainforest and learned 3 languages: English, Spanish and American Sign Language. I was married for 5 years and am now awaiting a divorce after my wife and I both cheated on each other because we were both so unhappy with our marriage.

I am 25 years old.

I have always been the "responsible, grown-up young person". When I talk to my family about being depressed, I get told to "lighten up" or told "you're crazy" in a sarcastic way. When I was younger I used to cut my arms just to watch them bleed. I now live in a garage apartment that I have become emotionally attached to. I am afraid of losing it- it's like my best friend. And knowing that each month I don't know how I'm going to pay my $385/month rent really really scares me- not of being homeless, I don't mind that- I'm scared of losing my best friend.

I have never had any close friends on a long term basis. Right now I have none. I always just wanted someone to talk to and because I have nobody, I am left to writing this. I relate better to females and would rather spend time with a female friend than a male friend that I liked equally. I have started drinking every day- not to the point of getting drunk- but every day nonetheless. That makes me scared because my real dad is an alcoholic, his dad was an alcoholic for 20+ years as well as his mother.

I have become so depressed that everything is a chore- typing this is difficult. I used to take 2 showers every day. Now, I only shower if I have to go somewhere which is usually once every 3 days or so. The rest of the time I stay in my apartment with blankets covering all the windows. Taking the trash out has become such a chore that I have 3 weeks of trash piling up but it seems like its only been there for 3 days. I can't go to a doctor to try to get medication because I can't pay for one. I have not been to a doctor in 11 years simply because I can not afford it.

I can't work for people- like a company. I can only work for myself. I get tired quickly and I can't focus on one thing for too long. Besides that, I always seem to learn all there is about a certain "position" and either get bored and have to quit or get pressured to quit because I'm the only one around who wants to do things right and that means more work for the slackers I work with. I think that explains why I've had so many jobs.

I come up with what I think are great ideas for websites. I buy the domain name and usually have the site done in a day to a week. I have multiple websites ranking in first position in Google because I am also excellent with search engine optimization. I am fluent in four different Internet programming languages: HTML, JAVASCRIPT, CGI/PERL and PHP. I designed a fully HIPAA compliant method of uploading and downloading files, so I created a website for me to offer my medical transcription services last year. Because I still have not received my first client (and all I really need is just one), I recently started offering search engine optimization services to people as a means for income. I really enjoy it and I am excellent at it. On the side, I have also designed about 10 "automated" websites that earn commission through affiliate ads and products. In the last three months, I have received 115,000 unique visitors to my websites, received thousands of affiliate ad clicks/referrals and have made a total online income of $12.81. The only way I slip by with my rent money the day before its due is by selling things I own, but I'm running out of things quickly.

I don't know what it is about me. I can't seem to make any money. There are a ton of other people out there who know nothing about building websites, Internet marketing, etc. and make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month online! I do the same thing and earn nothing. I build websites, try to get them to work for me and don't make a penny. I sell the website for like $25 because I need the money and the new owner starts making money from it. I only have a need to make $900 per month. That pays all of my bills and groceries. Anything over $900 is just extra I can save for a rainy day. I don't know anyone whose needs are so low and I STILL can't seem to get by even though I sit online for literally 18 hours a day 7 days a week.

I'm about to give up on everything because giving up is easier- you don't have to deal with the disappointment of failure. I'm just tired of everything. I don't want to be here. I wish I had some way to pay my bills then I could just sit in my apartment and be left alone- that's all I want. Sometimes I wish I could get professional help but then I would have to find a way to pay for a doctor, which is impossible anyway. I would have to tell someone and it scares me that someone would think I'm a "risk to myself or others" and take me away from here- my apartment, my best friend.

Can You Put In the Work to Help the Rally? - Posted By: MT Writer

I'll admit, I've kind of gone back and forth throughout the years about offshoring. Ours is a global society, and it stands to reason that jobs of many kinds will eventually fan out around the world.

However, I cannot help but get stuck on the lack of regulation that these overseas companies get away with. It worries me (personally) to go to the doctor or the hospital, knowing that my medical records are in the hands of incompetent ESL transcriptionists, my personal data could be sold to the highest bidder at any second, or my sensitive information could be posted on the internet in a moment's notice by a disgruntled Transcriptionist in another country.

But I haven't known what to do about any of it over the years.

I have a proposition.

I am a medical transcriptionist and a relatively successful freelance writer (when I have the inspiration and motivation). I can put all of this information in one cohesive article that will speak to non-transcriptionists (something I think we've been very unsuccessful at so far). I can approach news channels and papers and other venues ... and I have no doubt that, in the right light, the story can be told and told effectively.

However, what we need is one informational website that the general public can understand and get involved with.

Something that easily outlines the problems with offshoring sensitive medical information, in addition to the corruption that is rife in our industry.

A place where people can sign a petition (and understand why they are signing it). A hub that outlines why the everyman/woman should be concerned.

Without something like that - somewhere to direct people to take action - our plight and our beliefs become another 500-word story that shuffles to the back of the database, or a 7-minute newsreel that gathers dust for years to come, forgotten as quickly as it was seen because it's sandwiched between double homicides and presidential speeches.

If there is anyone out there who has the technical knowledge (or knows someone who does - coders, designers, etc.) and would like to work with me on this, I will do whatever writing it takes to make this work.

Again, my vision for this is something VERY simple - nothing technical that will turn off non-transcriptionists. Something along the lines of a very, very simplified For Dummies book feel.

If you think you might be interested, feel free to reply to me here or via email in the link.

putting external keyboard with laptop question - Posted By: sm

If i am using a USB adapter for my round-plug keyboard wire, is that essentially the same as a regular USB connector, ie, don't have to turn the machine off first before plugging in? I don't want to blow my pricey ergo board by doing something wrong...

TIPS NEEDED - Posted By: frustrated

Does anyone have any tips for me? I have just gone from plain old tapes to using digital files through Cryptoheaven. With my tapes, I could type the entire day's dictation for the day in one word document. Now with the digital files, each note is dictated in separate files. It takes much longer to download the file, create the new documents, save, and upload than it does to type it. These are very short notes. I'm working half the day with only about 30,000 characters typed! Am I doing something wrong or is this just the way it is?

Meezer! May have found THE keyboard - sm - Posted By: JenH

I got the new keyboard today and it was NOT what I ordered. Sure, it looks like the old PC Concepts but... hehehe from the looks of it, it is a Portuguese keyboard. Yeah, not gonna work.

BUT.............. I found the Cirque Smooth Cat and Glidepoint. The only visible difference I can see between these and the old PC Concepts wave is that the 6 is back on the left. Otherwise, the mouse configuration and everything else is the same as the PCC keyboard.

Check it out at the link. I'm going to call tomorrow and see if they have them in stock.

Shortcut programs? - Posted By: MTinTX

Which shortcut program is easier to use? Shortcut for Windows, Smartype, or InstanText? I need to start building a good shortcut list so I can build up my line count?

Keyboard Opinions - Avant versus Kinesis - Posted By: Dixierose

I am faced with a decision between these 2 keyboards, both with pros and cons. I would like to take a survey to see what everyone's opinion would be. I strongly prefer a programmable keyboard, as I would like to change some of the keys around to suit me, but will I regret not having an ergo keyboard in the long run? Will I like the IBM clicky type keys?

KINESIS FREESTYLE KEYBOARD
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/freestyle-solo_690x375.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo-v3-10-blk_690x306.jpg
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo_us_legend.jpg

It splits and tents.
Delete key is on left side (which I love)
All other function keys are in the wrong place for me.
Quiet low-force tactile membrane switch
10 function keys on left
Keypad separate purchase
2 year warranty
60-day money back guarantee
Price: $124.15 with the options I chose

AVANT STELLAR KEYBOARD
http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/Avant-Stellar-Programmable-Keyboard/productinfo/KB%2D00%2D1001/
(click on additional images for close up)
I actually went to the manufacturer website (http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm) but they didn�t have any large photos so I went to a reseller for larger images.

Straight keyboard
Can program any key to another function.
Mechanical click/tactile key switches like the old IBM keyboards
12 function keys on left that can be reprogrammed
Keypad built in
2 year warranty
30-day money back guarantee
Price: $189.00
Macro programming features
PS/2 interface but can buy PS to USB cord (I find this a little odd)
Programming software not compatible with Vista but can be programmed through the keyboard

This is from the sales rep I spoke to this week:
Have you ever heard of Northgate OmniKey keyboards? We purchased the rights to the keyboards when they went out of business. It is like typing on an old IBM keyboard. It is a loud click, you know when you hit a key. A lot of customers say they make fewer errors and I personally agree. I have had my Avant for a little over 10 years and I type all day long. I also have one at home. It might help for you to listen to this review on our website: http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/menu.htm
Click on HEAR OUR INTERVIEW ON Lets talk Computers. Avant is VERY reliable. We sell to a lot of medical transcriptionists, writers, gamers, call center operators, etc. People that type 8 hours a day 5+ days per week. Our keyboards can really take a beating.

What'cha think?

Is ExText user friendly? Can you make good lines? - Posted By: me

I will be using a foot pedal - ? Transnet.

I'm using Meditech Magic now and I can't imagine anything being worse.

ExTExt by dictaphone - Posted By: nannette kessler

Anyone have any experience with ExText platform...how did you like it..and if you know, how does it compare to DocQscribe?

Does anyone have health insurance with AARP? sm - Posted By: Winnie Ruth

Have any of you older ladies used AARP health insurance? If so, what is your opinion of it? Is it expensive? Do they hold pre-existing conditions against you? Thanks!

To the "not paid for spaces" question - Posted By: tia

Why is not being paid for spaces the norm? Don't you have to tap the space bar just as you have to tap a letter key? I don't get this. This is just another way to reduce our income. DON'T ALLOW IT!

How do you encrypt your email messages? - Posted By: Apple Scruff

I think I'm getting my first contract that I solicited myself, so bear with me. Does Outlook or Outlook Express have features where I can safely send emails back to the doc with the transcriptions, or do I need a stand-alone product for HIPAA compliance?

Thanks!

Need good reference/webiste suggestions - Posted By: just started transcribing OP notes

I am brand new to this speciality and I am actually really liking it... but I am having trouble finding certain equipment... I was wondering if any of you have any favorite books or websites that have hard to find surgical tools/equipment?

I saw that Stedman's has one out--is that any good?

Thanks for any info!!