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I have a trial version of Word 2007 on my computer, and I really like its layout.  It's not a fully functional version, so I can only try it out so much.  Has anyone made the switch from the older versions of Word and liked it better?  Has it improved your productivity in any way?  Any problems with it?  All feedback appreciated.

Thanks!

Do MTSOs, nationals, usually pay for downtime for employees?  If so, what has been your experience - ever received downtime? your company's policy, i.e., pay for two days downtime?

Also, as an employee for a nat'l, if you have a set schedule, what do you do when very little work comes in, for example one dictation/hour?  At what point do you cut out?  I'm new to working for a national and this has happened a lot lately - I know, the holidays.  If there is little work, I usually only stay connected for two hours, let me sup. know, and call it a day. 

I swear, sometimes I hate this industry!!  Any other company, at least in my state, if there is no work, as an employee, you still get paid or after a certain period, you get unemployment...something!

I tried posting this last night but I guess it didn't take, so I apologize if it's a repeat and I'm overlooking it.

Has anyone ever developed tingling and maybe slight numbness inside their ear from wearing headphones? I had some that were too tight when I first bought them (they fit over the ears like regular headphones, not inside the ear) but wore them anyway and got use to them. I've had this on-and-off tingling sensation ever since. Now I've switched to some lightweight ones that fit inside the ear and it's still doing it and may be worse. Just wondering if it's the headphones, can't imagine what else it could be?

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Good luck and Happy New Year!

Has anyone had trouble downloading Editscript because of MS Works being on their PC?  I'm getting an error msg and I don't know how to get around this...Thanks

I have a question and I have seen it typed many ways: 

This is regarding proper way to type q.4 h.  I have BOS on my computer.  I know one is not supposed to mix Latin and English, and BOS and I know what it says about mixing Latin and English, but I work for a National CO and I have seen diff QA tell fellow MTs diff ways to type this.   This is a a verbatim account.  Have to type what doc says.  Before I check with AM, I would like to have an opinion on how you all type the above before I  send a note to the Lead QA person.   I have also seen it q.4 hours with a space between the 4 and hours.  It seems like the QA team with this company has diff opinions when they check your work.   Thanks.  I was wondering if there any rules or changes on this subject in the short while or a website that I could check into for the latest information.  There are so many changes that it is hard to keep up with it anymore.

I am used to being paid per line and am wondering if $1.25 to $2 per report is good for radiology?  This company tells me that the average report is 30 lines so I am guessing it is not just general x-ray reports.

Thanks 

Can works suite be bought at best buy or do I have to get it through MS site.

I posted this on the company board, but didn't get any responses, so I'm hoping there will be some help here.  work full time outside the home and I am looking for something for just 5-8 hours a week to supplement my income.  I worked for MQ for 6 years, but certain things led me to quit.  Is there a good company out there where I can work 5-8 hours?  Back at the Q I think now you have to commit to 24 hours and I just can't swing that.  Is there such an option out there anywhere?  Any input would be very much appreciated.

I have a MT service and have only a few small clients who do call-in dictation (most use handheld digital) I am looking to use space on someone else's call system and either:  Pay for that  -  OR  -  Do a trade in terms of TX or QA work. 16 years in MT as transcriptionist, QA and business owner.

If you are interested, message me here and/or leave your contact info. Thank you,

David

Okay, any lefties use this keyboard? How long did it take to get used to? I use my left thumb for the space bar and I notice on a diagram of the keys that I would always be hitting the backspace key.

I'm really interested in getting a better keyboard. I destroyed my left hand and wrist the other week when I fell because I'm becoming a real klutz.

I bought the Soft Flex gloves, but they only help a little bit. My production is down because of it and it's driving me crazy. I can only type an hour without stopping and then have to rest the hand for some time.

I did buy a Microsoft 2000 keyboard but have yet to recieve it. Is this a good one?

Do you use a keyboard tray with it or just set it on the desk? Do you think a kayboard tray would be the least expensive item right now that would help with a straight keyboard?

Any info you can provide to help me in making any decision would be greatfully appreciated.

'Scuse me for being old school, but I've only ever used a straight keyboard.

    It's crunch time - I am using TranscriptionGear Model DA-127D for first time (replacement after demise of Dictaphone C-phone) and do not have instruction manual.  I've navigated through a report and need help with the following:  Everytime I take my foot off the pedal, I get the recorded "To sign off you must be at the end of the report."    Then, when I actually got to the end of the report, it signed off automatically with the foot pedal.    I must sign reports off manually on this acct.     Any help would be greatly appreciated.  TIA.

I am looking for feedback about how hard it is to switch to using Word after using WP.  I have lots of experience with WP and using my PRD expander.  Don't think PRD works with Word. 

I'd appreciate any comments, observations, recommendations - also what are good, inexpensive (?) Expanders to use with Word?  I'm feeling clueless here.  Thanks.

Yahoo had an article about careers that you can "do from home to earn $30K to $70K.....I KNEW the MT biz would be on there.    Although I don't agree with everything folks say regarding the eventual decline and demise of the profession, this particular snippet could be a reason why things are going in the downhill direction.  I'll highlight my favorite parts! 

Medical Transcriptionist

The job of medical Transcriptionist involves a lot of listening and typing. Medical transcriptionists listen to doctor's notes on a headset and type out the information, editing for clarity when necessary. Their duties might include medical discharge orders, autopsy reports, referral letters, consultation notes, and the like. The medical transcriptionist must have a good working knowledge of medical jargon and the ability to convey information with the utmost accuracy.

To become a medical transcriptionist, an associate's degree or one-year diploma from a medical transcriptionist training program is recommended. Being familiar with medical jargon is a plus.

Salary: Medical transcriptionists brought home a salary of $31,250 per year in 2007.

Wanting to go to work for a new company. What I am getting is - voice files failed to load- object does not support this method.

I would like to know- has anyone experienced something similar and if so any suggestions? Thought maybe too much on my computer or ?? Thanks so much.

I got offered a job in a small neurology office starting at $17/hr with a raise in a few months.  No working weekends or holidays and lots of vacation days.  Low stress.

I currently work at home for a pretty decent company with a pretty decent line rate, but am starting to feel pressure to produce more...my average pay at home is between $13 and $15 an hour.  It also adds stress when there is little to know work available and I am having to alter my schedule to "make up" time.

So, I would be making a bit more money, but I will have to have child care for the summers and for after school, so I don't know if it is worth it. 

Can someone give me some insight as to whether they were faced with this decision...what they decided and why?  I would really appreciate it. 

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any good advice.  I have been working as a Transcriptionist for three years at a dermatologist office.  I am the only transcriptionist that he employs and I can keep the clinic caught up in 1-3 hours each day.  My position is only part-time.  I currently make 12 cpl.  This is a small town and most all of the other doctor's transcription here is handled by one company.  They seem to have a monopoly.  I completed two medical transcription courses and finished at the top of my class.  I currently type around 95 wpm.  I have tested for several sites and seem to have a hard time passing because other than the training courses, I haven't had any hands on experience with the basic 4.  I would love to get my foot in the door somewhere but as you know there are hundreds of people on this site alone that would love to have that opportunity too.  I had a lady on this site offer me some clinic transcription once.  Unfortunately I contacted her numerous times and waited almost six months while she continued to tell me she would be sending me the work "tomorrow".  She finally just stopped answering my emails.  I just feel like I am hanging on but I don't know when the break will come.  It is sooo frustrating.   Any advice that you can give will be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

I have been transcribing for years - feeling burned out - can't concentrate and keep on typing enough to make much money.  Does anyone have any tricks for staying motivated??

Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, was released a couple weeks ago.  We here at Emmaus have spent weeks studying the documentation, and making the necessary adjustments in our software to be Vista-friendly.  All the applications will now run just fine under Vista (and users installing onto Windows 2000 or WinXP will see no obvious difference).

But I do not think Microsoft designed Vista for the home computer. My impression is it is wonderful for a huge corporation, e.g. General Motors, but is going to give the home user fits.  Most older applications will not run reliably under Vista.  Most older printers will not work under Vista.  And forget about on-line banking and any site that needs an ActiveX control in a web page: They just won't work under Vista.

You see, Microsoft needed to improve security from hacker attacks. They accomplished this with an operating system edict: Applications must run as a limited user.  The consequence of that is programs have traditionally saved user data in their folder under Program Files.  Under Vista they can't do that. It must be saved to %LocalAppData% for a limited user, and for an Administrator to %AppData%. Although MS has tried a kludge to accommodate older programs (by use of what they have termed Virtual Directories), it isn't very successful.

I heard some television commentator saying that Vista was the best thing that ever happened to encourage Apple computer sales. Probably for the short term, he's right, but when Apple gets a user share of the market of 20 to 30%, then hackers will have a field-day wrecking Apples.

So, in my humble opinion, should you upgrade to a Vista computer? No. (But if you do our software, MPWord, MPTools and MPSentinel are ready for you.)

Best wishes,

Vann Joe

I have a question regarding how many lines per hour does the average Transcriptionist type. I found 150-250 lines, but am wondering if this is correct. Is there a site that I can go to find this information. Thanks Carla

My mother lives with us and has gotten into the habit of sneak smoking in the back bathroom.  She thinks we can't smell it.  Have a granddaughter with asthma and I am very particular about smoke in the house. 

I thought if I had a detector that would buzz when she lit up that would encourage her to go outside like my husband does. 

I have tried talking to her about smoke smells in there when I have washed down the wallpaper and cleaned rugs/shower curtains down.  The smell clings to that wallpaper like glue.  She simply denies that anyone smokes in there.   She keeps multiple candles in there and thinks she is "covering up the smell". 

Any suggestions on a device that might be useful is appreciated.

I had a TVH/BSO in Sept and was put on a HRT patch.  I now do not have insurance for 90 days and am going to have to discontinue the patch until I get my insurance back.  It was a $40 co-pay when I did have insurance, and there's no telling what it will be without coverage.  Can anyone tell me what effects this will have on me?  Will I just maybe get hot flashes?  I'm thinking that will be all, or maybe mood swings, and it won't hurt me just for this temporary basis.

Along the same lines, the doctor really did not discuss this with me at all, and I'm confused about what I read.  Does the HRT protect me against osteoporosis and heart disease, or does it contribute to it? 

Thanks all!