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ES does count lines.

Posted By: Kim on 2008-12-02
In Reply to: Escription - Carole

It is one of the most user-friendly platforms I have worked on. I have 2 accounts that the speech rec is very good on and 1 account with lousy dictators that require more editing, but it is often entertaining. The sound quality is very good, and there is little to no distortion when you speed up the audio file.


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Word count: 824 lines. DocuCount count: 897 lines.
I just counted the same file in Word and then in DocuCount, and DocuCount was higher than Word.

Just as an aside.
it does not count gross lines...I count 37 and it counts 67.
x
I count my own lines and would not think of doing otherwise SM

Yes, you may have to spend money on a counting program, but isn't it important to have everyone on the same page, so to speak?


I'm so old that I don't know how to count by lines...(SM)
No, that's not a "I'm so old joke" - wish it were! I've only worked for myself in the past and now I'm helping someone else out. I agreed at a fairly low page rate (certainly lower than I used to charge) but I now think I'm cheating myself! When you count a 65 character line is that 65 spaces from left margin to right? Is that a gross line? What is the standard? I've been counting my characters (including spaces) in each line and they're at least 75 to 80. So, each page is like 1-1/2! My margins are one inch all around and the font size is 11. Am I wrong in thinking that a 65 character line means 65 spaces across the page? And, if so, is 9 cents per line out of the norm? Thanks for "teaching an old 'dinosaur' a new trick"!!
How do you count your lines? m
When you're not using a program like BayScribe that does it for you.  For example, if you transcribe letters or reports in Word, how do you calculate the lines you bill to your client?  Any help is appreciated!
Yes. They count the lines as set up
in the contract with the client. Each account can be different.
How can you count your lines in Word, I used

to use the word count in Word and then divide it by something to get a standard line count for that report. Has anyone done this before? I forgot the way to calculate when working in Word.


You can count your lines and characters yourself sm
even if you have no counting program. You can copy and paste into a word document or clipboard and count the characters in Word. At least you will have some idea of what you are being paid for. I have done this many times and if it doesn't add up to what the company's count has, I was right on the horn and sometimes even quit because of it. I will not be cheated in any way by any one.
Count lines in courier 12 - nm

XX


and I count gross lines

I do not cheat, I count gross lines and from top to bottom but I make sure that it is fair so my price per line is lower and it all equals out in the end.  On chart notes, it is the total amount of lines which includes 2 spaces between patients which then helps to pay for the cutting apart, sticky paper and delivery.  But my accounts are aware of this and again it shows in my per line charge. 


The way MTSOs count lines

Does anyone know if some MTSOs calculate lines on various accounts differently?  One of my accounts is very difficult to get a decent line count.  While it is more tedious and does not have "normals," it just seems like often I have a shift full of fairly long reports (and a fair number of them), and by feel seems like my line count should be higher.  - I can't help but wonder if lines are calculated differently for this account.


Does anyone know of MTSOs doing that?  Sadly, I am afraid to ask my employer.  


Need to count gross lines only w/o spaces, sm
Used Sylcount free download but it expired.  Any alternatives.  Did not like Practicount.  Need to count gross lines only.  How do I do that using MS Word? 
Count several lines both ways and see the difference
??
How did you count lines before the PC, or were you paid hourly then? nm


As an IC you invoice the company, count your own lines, and receive a paycheck.
First Choice, JLG, QT Medical, Metro in Atlanta, just to name a few.

Most use SylCount or something similar. I used Abacus - free line counting software.
Here is the best way...open any document you have typed for anything and count the lines both ways.

I have pretty much always been paid by the gross line...occasionally I will take a job with a company that pays by characters and I never make as money.  Remember...with gross lines, a line is a line is a line....that means anything on the lines be it one character or 65 is a line.  For instance....today I type a normal file for a client I have worked on for years...if I counted the lines at 65-cpl I got 398 lines, but counting gross lines I got 641 lines.  This is a 38% difference in pay between the two, so you would be making approximately 5 cents a line less on the character count.  Hope this helps :)


Word Macro to count Lines Strict inside

Hi,


The solutions others gave are good, but if I just needed to get the number of lines with typing (and don't need an invoice or a report), I'd use a Word macro.


The other solutions offered have this drawback: If the body of your document contains tables, the count Word gives you is vastly inflated, for Word counts each cell in that table as a line. This is not what the eye sees, and becomes problematic when you try to justify such to your client.


Below is a macro for counting what we at Emmaus call Lines Strict. (i.e. Lines with typing on them, vs Lines Extended that includes the blank lines).


To use it, copy from Public Sub through End Sub, and paste it into your macros along with your other macros. Easiest way of doing this is (after you have copied the appropriate lines):


1. Click Tools | Macros, and select an existing macro.


2. Click the Edit button.


3. Once the Visual Basic Editor opens, press Ctrl+End to move to the bottom.


4. Paste the clipboard contents.


5. Click File | Compile Normal. (If you've pasted things that don't belong, it won't compile.)


6. Click File | Close and Return to MS Word.


Merry Christmas!
vJoe
http://www.mpword.com


OOPS! I looked at the HTML code after I pasted the code into the editor on this board, and it added things that when pasted into the Visual Basic Editor in Word will not compile. Here's the code if you want to retype it, but pasting won't work. If you send me an email, I'll attach the code into a .txt document, and you won't have any problems.  vjoet@attglobal.net


Public Sub GetLinesStrictCount()
    Dim CharsStrict As Long
    Dim Count As Long
    Dim ParaswBlanks As Long
    Dim ParasWOBlanks As Long
    Dim LineswBlanks As Long
    Dim BlankLines As Long
    Dim LinesWOBlanks As Long
    Dim NumOfTables As Long
    Dim NumOfRows As Long
    Dim TableRowCount As Long
    Dim x As Integer
   
    TableRowCount = 0
    NumOfTables = 0
    NumOfRows = 0
   
    ActiveDocument.ComputeStatistics (wdStatisticCharacters)
    ActiveDocument.ComputeStatistics (wdStatisticLines)
    CharsStrict = ActiveDocument.BuiltInDocumentProperties(wdPropertyCharacters)
    ParasWOBlanks = ActiveDocument.BuiltInDocumentProperties(wdPropertyParas)
    LineswBlanks = ActiveDocument.BuiltInDocumentProperties(wdPropertyLines)


    NumOfTables = ActiveDocument.Content.Tables.Count
    If NumOfTables > 0 Then
        For x = 1 To NumOfTables
            With ActiveDocument.Content.Tables.Item(x)
                NumOfRows = NumOfRows + .Rows.Count
            End With
        Next
        TableRowCount = NumOfRows
    End If
   
    If CharsStrict > 0 Then
        ParaswBlanks = ActiveDocument.Range(wdMainTextStory).Paragraphs.Count
    Else
        ParaswBlanks = 1
    End If
       
    If LineswBlanks > 1 Then
        LineswBlanks = LineswBlanks + 1
    End If
   
    If ParaswBlanks = 1 And ParasWOBlanks = 1 Then
        BlankLines = 0
    Else
        BlankLines = ParaswBlanks - ParasWOBlanks
    End If
   
    LinesWOBlanks = LineswBlanks - BlankLines
    Count = LinesWOBlanks
   
    MsgBox "Lines Strict (with typing) = " & CStr(Count + TableRowCount)
End Sub


 


 


Does Quick Books/Quicken count the lines or do you use a separate program for that?
nm
You can set Word to not count blank lines by changing your paragraph style
to automatically double space after the paragraph.
Ask for a sample report. Count the gross lines on a full page. Then
figure out the line rate you want to make. For example, if there are 30 lines on the page and you would want to charge $0.15 per line, then that would be $4.50 per page. If they would like your hourly rate, figure out how many pages you think you can transcribe in an hour. Using the above example, if you can transcribe 4 pages per hour, then charge $18.00 per hour. In California the going transcription rates are approximately $22-$25 per hour.
Work for 1 hour, then count your lines of the completed work - sm
either check you total characters in word (with spaces) then total them all up and divide by 65, and you get your total lines per hour. 10,000/65 is 153 lines. Or if you have a line counting program us that to figure you count, either way will work quite well. Maybe do it a few times and then figure an average over 3 hours or something like that, it will vary with the ease/difficulty of the work you are doing.
Calculating lines using Word Count in Word
I have recently started a job where lines are calculated using the Microsoft Word word count tool. I think I read that you get cheated out of lines if a company counts this way. Is this true?
Take the character count divded by 65 and that will give you your line count.
x
Nope, not a higher count. Actually, the count is the same...
I use a word count and not a line count, but because you mentioned it, I ran a few documents using line count, and the count is exactly the same. However, Flashcount has a lot of nifty features.  I like it.  :)
Aaahhhh, now I get it. Gross lines vs. Character lines. I guess I've just been conditioned to
think in terms of character lines.  One of the perils of working as an IC for somebody who defines what a line is versus owning your own company and defining it yourself.  After working for someone else for 15 years, maybe it's time to bust out on my own.
That is a lot of work/lines for 2 people. I do 3000 lines per day sm
if you times that by 30 days that only comes to 90K lines a month, that is working 7 days a week including weekends. I don't think 2 people can handle that.
900 lines is below 1100 lines, where the bonus starts.
x
You need to watch your line count. I was working for them and got reports that had line count of 0
You need to watch your line count. I was working for them and got reports that had line count of 0 in them. They did not pay for templates, they would deduct the template even if it was not used and deleted. I notified them and said they could not change it.

So I asked to be put on another account and they refused. I quit.

I was also promised they would have an incentive plan going into place if you type a certain # of lines. Two years went by and nothing.

I was really disappointed in OSI.

They also offered to pay half on joint AAMT, which they failed to do.

I am glad I am no longer there.
Gross lines include all lines containing
printable characters, so a full line and a line with one word on it are charged equally. Straight lines are basically the same as gross lines, but with this method of counting the blank lines are counted as well (again, equally). I have only had one company pay this way, and they are a middle man. I would think the charge would be about the same as for gross lines, and that not too many offices will want their lines counted this way (the one I worked on was probably inherited from someone who had counted the lines that way, so just continued).
The norm is 1 minute = 10 lines; 10 min = 100 lines - sm
granted this varies per dictator. More lines if a fast talker, less if a slow talker.
I went from 2400 lines to 1800 lines

a day when I switched from clinic (through an MTSO)  to hospital work. Not only was the clinic work easier with more macros (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 varies depending upon the type 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 plus an incentive for 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 are the 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!


Which is the one where they are sc*&ing us the standard lines or the qualified lines? SM
Mine show up as STD when I pull up my transcription log.  But I see now there is STD/QT....  So which is the one where they are ripping us off, standard or qualified?  Need to know.  I am about to switch companies and I will not do if they are actually taking lines from me.  Thanks guys. 
Question versus gross lines versus 65-character lines....

I have always charged or been paid by 65 or 60 character lines or per letter or space typed, but have never been paid or charged per gross line.


What is the advantage of this?  If I were to charge 11 cents per 65-character line including spaces, what does this figure out to for an average line rate and how do you do this calculation? 


I'm wondering if it is financially beneficial for me to bill by gross line or to keep it the way I have it.  I do know some accounts will only pay per 65-character line, as this was the deal my first own account I recently acquired.  They were adamant on a 65-character line, but didn't specify with or without spaces and I personally would never not charge for spaces.


Thanks for explaining this.  I appreciate it and hope everyone has a speedy day.


Don't count on it
If they can program out the space count, they can certainly pick and choose which characters they don't want to pay for.
Even if you could count on MT as
we know it to be around forever, unless you are a robot or a glutton for punishment you will probably burn out well before your 20 years until retirement. I wish I had used MTing as a way to make a living while studying for a better job, but it is probably too late for me now. I will probably die slumped over the keyboard trying to make a few pennies to supplement my Social Security!
count me as one!
x
Help with MP count

Cannot figure how to use this with word, is there a way to have it come up in the program?  I want to count lines only.


thanks ya'all!


WP Count
Chews the heck out of work but it does count... company is based in Carnation, Washington.
They don't count at all, I don't think
As an IC with this company, if I don't submit an invoice, I don't get paid. I wish THEY would do it. Oh well.
Does Fox count as
one of those channels that Bush can interrupt?  Boy, if I miss 24 or Prison Break, I'm gonna write a letter to him....
While I don't think you can count on
any industry anymore, you can always count on yourself. If you decide to return home, maintain your other abilities and contacts and expand your options. Additionally, have you spoken to your current employer about the possibility of working at home one or two days a week? Turnover is costly, and they might prefer to work something out than lose you. Good luck to you.
MP Count
Does anyone have the Software for MP Count?  (The older version).  TU
MP Count
Anyone have the exe file for MP Count?  My computer crashed and I lost it.  Thanks.
Here's how I count.
I count 65 characters with spaces, tabs, returns, indents, header/footers, and bold, underline and caps on/off. I also use Abacus right now.  Abacus will also count all caps or all bolds or underlines but I don't think that's fair. I used my fingers to turn them on/off though so I charge for that.
Count me in!
I would be interested in this. I agree the effort has to be specific to a person or show to have an impact.
Don't count on it
The cost of shipping them would be very high as well as the shipping the reports back as they would probably want them ASAP and so Fed Ex or next day service would be quite expensive.   Most of the docs want 24 and a few will go with 48 TAT.  That is just the standard.  My suggestion would be staying with digital only but it is the dire hard using the tapes that are utilizing a lot of us small MTSO's.  Good luck, again check into Fed Ex and see just how expensive it is.  I don't think that they will eat the cost as it is your choice not to come in  to pick up, again I think the liklihood of a clinic going this way is extremely low.   As for HIPAA/HIPPA -- cannot remember which one sometimes, violations, they do mail reports all the time to other clinics, etc.  You just have to use safeguards.  
You can set it to count that. nm
x
Let's count off.
x
Add one more to the count
My husband is the worst of them all. Recently when people ask how work is going for me, etc. He will chime in with "She doesn't work!" I have told him if he keeps it up, I won't be working and he'll see the not working paycheck. He also likes to think that just because I work at home that I shouldn't take breaks like every other employee in the U.S. If I take a quick break - I'm screwing off and "not working."

I think it is a lost cause trying to get anyone to understand what transcription and/or working from home is all about.
Not up to the count sm please!
It will be up to the "courts" -- we do not need people like you defaming us. Shame on you! Don't bother to flame me, I won't open it!
I should add that you can only count ř"
reports at a time if you do not have a code to enter. My employer gave this program to me as that is what they use to count lines, so am not sure what you have to do to get the code.