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Dvorak typing

Posted By: Simplyme on 2008-04-18
In Reply to:

Hello fellow MTs :)


I was wondering how many of you use the Dvorak method of typing?  I have been contemplating doing this for a while now.  I just don't know how easy the transition would be trying to work 40 hours a week doing the regular Qwerty way and then trying to learn the Dvorak method.  I'd love to do this, as I understand it is much, much faster and I can definitely use all the help I can get in that respect.  I type 80 words per minute, but I find I get finger twisted often. 


Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! :)




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Dvorak anyone?
I'm curious if anyone uses Dvorak. I saw an article about it today (maybe Yahoo news). If it would help the tension on the fingers and carpal tunnel issues I would be willing to try it.
Do you use the dvorak? sm
My brother is a computer engineer and has been trying to get me to learn to do this.  He says it will save me time in the longrun.   I just can't seem to find the time to slow down to be able to learn this.  Do you use it?  How long did it take you to adjust to it?
Dvorak...
I have been reading that this is up to 1/3 faster than QWERTY and that it only takes about 2 weeks to adjust to it.  I'm going for it.  Will keep you updated. 
only Dvorak I know is Anton...a very...nm

Does anyone know if Dvorak works with DQS? Thanks. nm

POLL: DOES ANYONE USE THE DVORAK KEYBOARD

I use the dvorak keyboard for typing.  The keys are in different places from the 'querty' keyboard.  All the most used keys are on the home row.  This requires about 10 times less hand movement.  However, it makes you look like an idiot when you try to hunt and peck on someone else's querty keyboard!!


RE: Dvorak keyboard layout

If someone could tell me how to change my keyboard settings, I would appreciate it. I went under control panel and opened up the keyboard icon, but it does not have a section on settings.  It has properties, but nothing under that to change any type of settings. Thanks!


 


She's talking about the Dvorak keyboard
You can find it on Google with very little effort.
dvorak layout - advice pls
I've been researching the Dvorak keyboard layout and the benefits of using it. However, I'm afraid that I will just end up confusing myself. Does anyone have experience with this type of layout? Apparently it is MUCH faster once you get the hang of it (Guinness World Record speed typist uses it)...less wear and tear, typing injuries, etc....it just seems scary to be switching to the unconventional method, I guess. Also, do you guys think it would be beneficial as an MT, since we use expanders, etc?? Input is greatly appreciated!!
I switched to Dvorak quite a while ago. My recommendation
would be to attempt the switch when you are not working. I quit qwerty cold turkey, and it took about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks for me to get up to speed on Dvorak. It probably would have taken less, but I had to take a lot of timeouts to keep myself from chucking my computer out the window. It was incredibly frustrating to say the least, but I am glad I did it.

All I did was switch my keyboard driver over and print out the Dvorak layout to post beside my monitor. I didn't get stickers or anything. I do have an ergo Dvorak keyboard now though.
Anyone use DVORAK keyboard layout? NM
nM.
Typing. This is NOT typing, it is transcribing. There is a BIG difference. sm
Transcription includes typing, but so much more.
OMG...yep! Air typing!!! it's like

don't even think of typing before you get
nm
80+ and still typing.

A great woman crossed into the arm's of God this morning.  She was 80+ years of age and still doing medical transcription up to the day earlier this year when she was diagnosed with cancer and even then she came to the office just until recently.  She loved her job and everyone loved her.  She will be greatly missed in the world of transcription as well as among family and friends. 


Until we meet again. 


80 and still typing
did she live in NJ?
When I had typing in H.S. (sm)
we had those little pieces of chalky paper that you would have to slip down behind that little "thing" on the platin, and type on that.  Can't even remember what it was called it was so long ago.  Boy, were we thrilled when white out, yellow out, and pink out came along.  LOL
Will you be actually typing them?
If you are then they are ripping you off.  I for one refuse to work unless I get paid for everything I type.  It all adds up over time!
Typing Fun
Hee, I do that all the time.  I like to see how fast I can make them speak and still type along. 
anyone know how to go from typing
To search Google for terms without using the painful mouse?  Thanks.
I did something while typing
that changed my settings on my IE. Now I do not have my toolbar at the top and my icons on the bottom do not show for the programs I have up, but this only is when I am on the internet page. When I am using other programs, my icons show at the bottom. Now my favorites show at the side instead of being able to use the pull down through my toolbar. I do not see anything I can use to fix this. Any ideas?! Thanks...
You will still have some typing with VR.
You'll get more done with the VR, but he'll pay you less for the editing. What type of VR is he wanting to use?
typing
I found that I make out better typing than doing VR. I make half.
What are you typing???

Too broad of a question --  is is a seminar, deposition, insurance statement or what.  I have done a lot and for 60 minutes per tape it has averaged out to over $100 at 10 to 11 cpl -- many years ago.  Again depends on what you are typing and the quality of the tape.  Lost my shirt one time on a planning meeting, too hard to understand, etc.   Took many hours to do and not enough pay.   More details and could answer you better.


Are you first typing what you
want to save, as in "-year-old," highlighting that,and then choosing "Autocorrect"? If so, you should have both choices of "plain" and "formatted text" available. If you then choose "formatted text," it should work. I had that same problem a long time ago and it was explained to me this way. Talk about easy! Good luck! :)
$40/1h rec = 4h typing = $10/h pay only? nm

Just typing, typing, typing.....
Can you do this every day, 8 hours long, with only a total of 40 minute break?
No talking, no emails, no telephone, no nothing? When do you eat and pee?
Don't you have a husband or children, who want to interact with you? What's the advantage of working at home, if you work like this?
This is a 'sweatshop', what a life! No, thanks!
What's going to happen to your blood circulation, your veins and arteries??? Your health? How long can you keep this up?
Are you trying to lure MTs back to this profession under even harder conditions?
No, thanks!
typing
I would call putting in Expanders and normals manual work. Actually, also typing is a manual job.
also, (something different), typing in -- SM
CAPS is YELLING. just plain rude.

you'll be fine.


Typing on your lap

I just moved and my new desk setup is a built-in desk which is too high for comfort for typing on the keyboard.  I can adjust my office chair up, but then it's too high to comfortably reach the pedal.  I have been typing on the keyboard on my lap for two days but my shoulders are sore and so are my calves apparently from flexing when I wasn't aware of it all day.


Awhile back I read here that some MT's type on their keyboards on their laps.  Please give me any feedback how it works for you and also do you know of any products out there or things around the house to support the keyboard and make it easier to balance on your legs.  I kind of like typing like this other than the strain on my neck and legs from trying to keep it balanced and from sliding off.


Thanks in advance! 


always typing

My kids say that is all I ever do anymore---MT work at my computer. When I am home I type! Sometimes 10 or more hours per day........


But, I tell them I could be at work someplace for 8 hours and that is what I would do there.


Typing IME's

Just trying to get a few ideas for obtaining more work.....probably like a lot of other starving MTs!


Does anyone type strictly IME's?  If so, is the pay any better than traditional transcription?  Any info greatly appreciated.  Thanks! 


Sometimes I feel like actually typing exactly...

what they say so they can see it for themselves - or someone who knows the difference can see it!  Some of my faves today:


"Jackson-Pratt draining removed..."


"Muscle strength 4+ on right upper extremities..."  - Pt has more than 1?!


"There was depressed of right scalp secondary to miss of scalp."  (Patient had a laceration and underlying skull fracture)


Could go on and on - but one of my favorites is when they spell a word or a drug for you and it's TOTALLY WRONG!! 


Some though, I have to say, are very aware of how difficult it is to understand them and actually end up being better than some of my American dictators.  Those ESLs I prefer over all others.


150 wpm straight typing.....sm
In high school 1st quarter typing I was doing 70 wpm, by the end of the 1st year of typing in high school I was at 100 wpm.  At the end of the 2nd year of typing I was averaging 140 wpm. 
If it is typing on the screen, then it should not
be a problem, just the same as if you use AutoCorrect or an abreviation expander.  You are NOT after all bringing in text from another word processer...you are creating text on the screen you see.
Maybe someone else in another country is typing it?

Correct typing

Please tell me if I am right or not. On a recent dictation a doctor was giving current medicationa and he said "p.r.n. ibuprofen", I typed Ibuprofen p.r.n., because I was taught that this is the correct way. She informed me to type it the way he said it. I looked at another transciptionist work on this same doctor and she typed PRN Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is not capitalized unless it is in the beginning of the sentence. I do not want to compromise my work or correct transcribing, what do I do? She also informed me that the Book Of Style is not always right. Well, I was taught that it was the final authority. Help!!!!!


speed typing
Okay, ladies.  I have been working for 8 months now as an MT and my typing accuracy still is lacking quite a bit.  I have the typer shark program that I use sometimes.  I type about 50 WPM.  Not good enough for me.  I was hoping that somebody could give me suggestions or hope that it will come with time.  I seem to be a little bit better lately, but I keep hearing about MTs who type 300+ lines per hour.  It takes me a couple hours or more to do that.  Depending on the dictator, of course.  One woman said she used to type the news and that seemed to help her.  I just need some encouragement that I will get better, or maybe some people don't. 
Faster typing
Well, my mother insisted I know how to type, so I took 2 years (yes 2 years) of typing in high school, so my typing speed was pretty fast to begin with (though I graduated high school over 20 years ago!) I have a friend who did the "Mavis Bacon" or whatever it is called typing software and that really helped her pick up speed.

I use Instant Text and try to put in everything. I have been an MT for just under 2 years. I do acute care, and I average 260 lph. On days I'm lucky enough to get a good run of ER reports - I can easily do 350+ plus per hour because most of it is canned, and I have jump codes in my expander, so I can whiz through a lot.

Good luck!
speed typing
I also use IT, as it is through the company I work for. I am still getting to know the program. I tried Mavis. I found her to be cute, but annoying. I think am just being impatient. I really like the typer shark program. It's actually fun. I think I will take the time to work on understanding IT, so I can get it to work for me.

Thanks your input. It did make me feel hopeful!
speed typing
Will do! Thank you for the encouragement.
I used to be a typing teacher...
I used to be a typing teacher and also had long nails at the time. I got one of those split keyboards (ergonomic) and it helped. Having my hands in that position allowed me to type a lot easier with my longer nails. You might give that a try. Keyboards are really cheap.
Because typing pathology from
rare. I would love to do pathology again, but I will never go back to an office environment again.
RU typing in code??? nm
huh????
have u tried typing in google just that?...nm
@@
exercise while typing
Need a work out during your typing day?  Get a Yoga ball ans use it instead of your chair the simple act of keeping you body center on the ball will work your abs. while sitting in your chair, do leg lifts by simply lifting your heel off of the floor.  Instead of ittinf for lunch, stand up at the counter or walk while having a sandwhich or what ever it is that you eat.
Typing ages
I've seen several different styles on this: Do I type 32-year-old male or 32 year old male. Seems dumb to put all those hypens in the sentence but I've seen it done both ways.  How about 11-pound weight loss instead of 11 pound weight loss? I've always typed these without hypens but then did not use BOS, just what the docs wanted. Is there a right or wrong???
Transcribing is not typing. sm
It includes typing, but so much more.  It absolutely includes tools of the trade, especially word expansion programs, and normals, and sample of difficult doctors.  Typing wpm actually has nothing to to with transcribing lph.  If you think of it as typing, you will always be slow at transcribing.
Typing as written

First of all, let me explain that I work not from dictation but a handwritten template that I fill in--typewritten "transcription" in turn.   The physician fills out the form while in the treatment room, circles correct choice from a list, etc.; sometimes the nurse does this.  I've been instructed for the third time to "type as written" when I've questioned meds or inconsistencies.  This goes against my training and principles (if that sounds sanctimonious, so be it)--when I can't reference things. I've had as much as half with questions and blanks where information was simply skipped. I don't have the patient charts to consult--just a stack of forms.  I have respect for the doctor professionally; her patients, many of whom have been coming to her for years, seem to love her.  Never had this experience before, either with transcription or as a secretary.  Most of the time my supervisors have been happy that I caught errors.  Please let me say these aren't nitpicky things--it is misspelled drugs like Demedex rather than Demadex!


The last time I said I wouldn't put my initials on the reports I questioned and was told I must put my initials "to tell who to return work to," even though I'm the only one doing transcription.  Furthermore, the office manager told me the doctor takes ultimate responsibility because it's her signature on the notes.  I'm going to comply while looking for other work, because this is one of many things we just don't see eye-to-eye on!  What do you all think?  How to deal with this?  TIA!


 


Help...Whie typing...sm

I must've hit something, but I've no idea what.  My upper toolbar is all messed up and my font keeps going from big to small when I scroll!  Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Just not a typing machine??
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.