Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Just not a typing machine??

Posted By: Gloria on 2007-01-27
In Reply to: OMG! - l

Then I would say you definitely have the wrong job. The raises are hardly ever there for MTs now days, you just type faster if you want to make a decent pay. The pay is down, really down from 20 years ago. You do turn into a typing machine if you want to earn a living.


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

Typing. This is NOT typing, it is transcribing. There is a BIG difference. sm
Transcription includes typing, but so much more.
Let the machine get it.
x
CR machine
I have been using a CR machine to do medical transcription for seven years.  I use software that translates steno into English and "dumps" into any program, MS Word, Wordperfect, or whatever software a client may use.  I can use it to post messages or use messenger service, or to write emails, and yes it is MUCH more productive than typing, even using expanders.
Same machine?
Have you used the same laptop that whole time? If not, how long did each machine last? Do you work full time?
What is a C-machine?
What is a C-machine?
Thanks!
definitely get a fax machine

I got a Brother fax machine several years ago at Office Depot for around $80 or so.  I later got an HP all-in-one in 2005 at Sam's.  I don't remember what it cost, but it's worth it if you'll be faxing regularly.  Some of your clients may prefer a scanned version.


You could also compare on-line fax capabilities, which seems to be more current, for obvious reasons.  I can't remember the details, but I've heard it advertised on talk radio.


Just a thought.


Janome machine!!
I bought one last January for 250 and it is great! I sew all the time
VR would be better if they gave MTs the machine and
So the machine only has to get used to our sweet little voices instead of these speed demons and speech impedimentalists. 
I bought an e-machine for $399 (sm)

It was on sale at Best Buy (there were only 3)  That is w/o the monitor, cause I didn't need one at the time.  I know the support people are usually Dave or Keith (yeah, right) they barely speak English, but I don't actually know where the computers are made.   Check for sales at Best Buy and get there early.


steno machine
What kind of steno machine did you purchase to help you?
Mine is an e-machine...
refurbished, discontinued model, though of course they have a number of current models available.  Bought my on ebay but seriously considered a new Dell also, they are the best price for what you get.  My screen is 17 inches and I love it, as I use it to watch DVDs in my bedroom!   It came setup for WIFI (as many of them do now) so when I stay at a motel I can get online easily and check my e-mail.  Only way to go!
Need fax machine expert!
Can anyone tell me if you have ever had the problem of your fax machine not being able to fax only to one particular number?  I can fax anywhere else, but to this one particular number.  I have tried everything I know, even so far as calling the maker of my fax machine, but no one can tell me why I get a communication error when faxing to this one particular number.  I have changed my splitter on that line, my filter on that line and had the phone company check out my line, all to no avail. It will go through every now and then, but mostly it will not go through.  This has just started happening in the last few months. If anyone has every had this problem and can give me advice, I'd appreciate it immensely!  Thanks in Advance!
Use MS Virtual Machine
You can run XP on your vista machine using Microsoft Virtual PC. You can download it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/virtualpc/default.mspx

and then follow the instructions very carefully, but it does work as long as you have the original installation CD for whatever other operating system, in your case XP Home, you need. I have not tested some of the proprietary transcription platforms on it yet, but it works well for my needs so far.
Help with Lanier machine!

I pulled out my old Lanier machine to work for a company I worked for previously and I forgot how to set it to go back a couple of seconds when I take my foot off the pedal.  I tried Googling,,found nothing.. Does anybody know?  thanks


Do you have a tape in the machine?--sm
If there is no tape with dictation, there would be nothing for the machine to indicate. My Lanier has a counter but is not this model. This site has info on the 210--http://www.transcribesolutions.com/lavwmicama2.html

Hope this helps.


Don't know if this machine is broken or not...help?
Sorry to intrude here but someone in this crowd likely know the answer to my quandary(SP?)... I'm not a Transcriptionist but my neighbor wants me to sell these two machines he has. I learned trans back in high school (30 years ago!) but think these two machine "might" be broken. Both units are micro players (the Lanier VW-210 and Lanier P-101). Neither show the "units" or "location" in their digital displays... From my recall, the machine was supposed to tell you where in the tape you were (hence I believe the above indicators). Everything else works on the machines but if they're broken I don't think I should sell them. Any suggestions? I went looking for advice, online manuals, you name it. Whatever suggestions or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
The machine does not actually transcribe. It
transcriber (far better title than AHDI's 'ist' word) is the living being that actually uses her ears to hear the dictation, her brain to sort is all out and make some sense of it, and her hand do the typing. The machine just records and plays back. And sometimes it doesn't even do THAT very well.
faxing without a fax machine

Several jobs I worked in the past allowed the capability to send a fax through the computer without using a fax machine.  However, I have no idea that program was set up but would really like something similar at home.  I can't figure out where to start.  Anyone know anything about this?


Thanks.


Microcassette Machine
Not sure if it will help, but I have a Sony M-2000 microcassette transcriber.  I know your sour on the Sony's, but I don't use this anymore.  Let me know if you are interested. 
white noise machine
I had a neighbor who had a dog who barked all night and also another neighbor who played music all night.  I bought a white noise machine for about $20.00.  I had a choise of ocean waves, birds chirping, rain hitting the house, thunder, so many more sounds and it worked..It would drown out the outside noises.I had tried ear plugs, calling the cops (the minute they left the dog and neighbor would start again), confronting the neighbors..nothing worked but the white nose machine..You can get one at any department store..
Need transcription machine recommendations please

I am an at-home MT and I have been using an Olympus Pearlcorder T1000 for the last several years. I am on my second one - the first one the hinge doesn't work correctly to insert/remove the microcassette tape but the machine still works (but I have to use something to flip/pry the lid open-lol) ! In fact, I am using it now because about a year or more ago I purchased another one (exact same model) as I felt it would be wise to have an extra machine). Anyway, the new one started pulling out the tape out of the microcassettes and won't backup/rewind like it should. It did this a couple months ago and I did the alcohol cleaning with a q-tip and that didn't work, so tried some silicone spray and finally it started working properly again but now I have run into the same problem. I tried all the above mentioned tactics but it didn't work this time. :( I hardly feel it is worth taking it in to have it repaired since they are not a costly machine, and BTW, I have an older Sony business quality transcription machine (around $500 over 10 years ago!) that I had so many problems with and had it in/out of the business machine repair shop several times (so additional $ spent) and still ended up with problems, so that is why I lean now more toward the cheaper models and if I get a couple years use out of them I am happy.


I am just wondering if there are any other machines that you might recommend around the $200 price range that you have had good luck with or should I just buy another Pearlcorder.


TIA. 


Do you use your steno machine to transcribe? nm
nm
Stenograph Machine/Transcribing
I was in court reporting school for 3 years. I got to over 200 words per minute on the stenograph machine. The problem with using it for transcription is that it still has to be transcribed into typewriting. The system the machine uses is a machine ShortHand - combinations of letters form different letters of the alphabet. You do not produce readable text as we know it in typing on a stenograph machine.

This would be causing more work, not solving a problem. It is used to transcribe spoken words in a courtroom or medical conference, etc., as a tool only. You still must transcribe the stenograph Keystrokes into a typewritten, readable form that could be a permanent medical record or legal document.

My name (Gloria) in stenograph is a classic example of what the phonics system looks like. Gloria is a combination of these letters:

TKPWHR is the sound "GL";
O is the "O"
R on the right side of the keyboard is "R"
Then a second keystroke would be KWA for the sound "YA."

My name would read like this on the printout from Stenograph:

TKPWHR O R
K W A

The letters print out in the same location and it is based on phonic sounds. Thus, it still has to be transcribed into readable typewritten English to be understandable.

Hope this helps. I dedicated myself to this system for 3 years of hard learning in College and then burned out in the end right after passing the Georgia Court Reporting exam.


Sound on my machine goes bananas--Please help
Hey y'all. The sound on my machine has been going from being totally OK to really sounding terrible--fuzzy, distorted, and killing my eardrums.

All else has stayed the same. It will be good for 2 days, then really bad, then good. Does anyone have any ideas? Please reply quickly, as I have a deadline. Thanks so much. It is Windows 2000.
If it has never been installed on another machine, then you are fine. sm
I have bought OEM software off or Ebay, came with registration numbers never used, and it was fine. I was able to register and access support.
Transcribing machine wanted
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has an old transcriber they wanted to sell, with the regular size cassette, not the mini. I live in Hawaii. Please email me if you have one you would like to sell.

Ariel
Try a noise machine - we have one that lets you....sm
choose between the sounds of a waterfall, crickets chirping, and other sounds that I got my daughter for $10 at Target. Good luck!
Have you tried unplugging the machine for a few minutes
Maybe this would reset the machine. I have looked through my manual and did not find a solution for you, sorry.
I should add it works great with the fax machine too!
With Vonage I could never send or receive faxes.  I kept getting "poor line quality" error messages on my fax machine. 
I like fax machine as can fax permission slip to
x
True, we are just part of the machine, like PC,
x
check ebay for machine sm
I've gotten several things for transcribing from ebay and have been thrilled every time.  good luck!!
There is also E-machine, brand of computer, but sm
I have one sitting here in my office that says on it "NEVER OBSOLETE," but it so is. C-phone seems more likely, if it is transcription related..
fax machine versus computer
I just purchased just a fax machine. If I purchases an all in one, would that eliminate my printing it out and then faxing. Are there benefits from having a fax put on your computer versus the all in one? Just trying to figure out the best cost saving measure.
Once you train the speech machine ...
Once you train the speech machine to correctly transcribe any dictator, your services as a Transcriptionist will not be needed. So every report you clean up or trim down, takes a little bite out of your future in this profession. I have 30+ years of continuous acute care transcribing experience, and it only took me 2 months working with the speech machine to understand I was cutting away the very surface I was standing on. I quickly switched to a company that does not offshore and does not use VR. Just my personal opinion here... Wise
FYI, did you know that a transcriber is a machine and a transcriptionist is a person?

Elssa - Sony answering machine
You mentioned in your post that the docs called in on your Sony answering machine. Could you please tell me what model that was and how it worked for transcription.
Thanks
Barbara
Let your fax machine answer a couple times.
x
Court Reporting Machine Used for Transcription
Does anyone happen to use a stenograph machine (the kind used for court reporting) to do transcription?  If so, has it been much faster than typing?  What are the pro's and con's?  Have you developed your own set of (probably hundred's, no doubt) brief forms/abbreviations (since you I assume you don't have an Expander like InstantText or autocorrect/autotext as Word does)???  How has the wear and tear on your hands/wrists been?  Thanks......
Software used with Court Reporting Machine
What software do you use to transcribe with? What type of court reporting machine do you have? I have a Stentura 8000 and would love to use it, but I do not have software and really did not want to spend thousands of dollars on software. Any ideas?
while working my answering machine is set to ring twice
Period. If i hear the machine message saying emergency, i will grab it; otherwise they can wait until I am done!
Are these reports typed by machine or offshore
x
Use an answering machine, or change your number
It has been my experience that these types of call will continue as long as they can reach you and make you "feel responsible." I have been called at midnight, 3:00 in the morning, 5:00 a.m. They are heartless and persistent. They Don't Care if they are bothering you or interrupting you or waking you. They only want to dump their "STAT" problem on YOU and off their hands. Change your numbers, use an answering machine, or get a line just for work and don't answer it when you don't want to get those types of calls. Good Luck, I know they make you feel guilty if you say no. Just do what you feel is your honest share and let the "callers" worry about the rest of the jobs.

Wise
Question for the steno machine user

I keep remembering how much faster you said it is than typing and I am wondering how one would go about learning how to use one?  Is it something that can be self-taught with a book?  Would I likely be able to find a good used machine?  Also, will they work with any transcribing software?


I am a slow MT and need all the help I can get!    Thanks for any further information you can give me.


 


I don't think you can erase with that machine (which is actually a blessing in disguise!) but sm

Get a Certron micro/mini cassette eraser.  I've had mine for 10 years - paid like $5 for it then, and I still use it every single day.  I have two docs that insist on micro, bless 'em!  At least I know they won't go to VR!  But make sure you store the eraser somewhere so the magnets on that tiny little thing don't erase something you don't want them to. 


I got mine at Staples, but it is possible they don't carry them any longer.  When I googled it I could only find it at some off-the-wall places... like this link here.


These docs think a machine can type their work, sm
So why should we bother to clean it up? They want the cheapest transcription possible, they deserve it, and yes, years ago we WERE expected to know everything. Now they think a machine or anyone can transcribe their work. The doctors deserve it.
Thanks for the info. I'll have to crank up the exercise machine...

A short-cut would have been nice though. 


 


Thanks again.


I don't understand why you were bothered that she left a message on your machine. sm
How does the 'generic' greeting you have to answer it indicate what type of message someone is supposed to leave? Would you have rather she left a totally informationless message? I just don't get it.
Anyone have any info on Infoware Fusion transcription machine?
Hospital is switching from Lanier to Infoware's Fusion transcription equipment.  The records dept head is very confused.  With me at home I have no clue as to what is going on because I don't think she knows much more.  Anyway, I am suppose to go the hospital tomorrow for orientation.
Many companys don't have their stuff compatible with Vista yet. Keep your old machine
s
it just struck me: Docs will speak clearly for a robot machine but not for an MT. (sm)

How does that grab ya? 


A computer is demanding and getting  more respect than we did for years, cleaning up their sentences, fixing their errors....and generally wiping their noses.


 


but now that a computer demands STANDARDIZATION....suddenly the docs can find the brain cells and patience to comply.


What a bunch of hooey. 


 


That just struck me today as I was trying to understand the new mandate that literally takes away my way I have made a living and at 60 years old I get to go try to get hired at this age.


(All I hear on the TV is the "unemployment figures came out today and they are...... yet this govt is continually using computers to do away with meaningful employment for its people)


Thanks representative in WashingDC


The other thing before I get off my soap box:


Exon made a $40.6 billion dollar PROFIT last year.


............and my tax money went to them in the form of  SUBSIDIES........


 


Unfreakingbelievable.


My cost of living to stay alive food wise, gas wise, electricity wise has gone up because Exon wanted a profit...........and my taxes still went for subsidies. 


I understand some legislators tried to do something about it and BUSH THREATENED A VETO.


I leave you with those thoughts.