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I'll leave the specs suggestions to others, but - sm

Posted By: NWMNMT on 2009-03-06
In Reply to: Replacing old desktop - can

one good place to check for both new and used equipment at a good price is Geeks dot com ... I've purchased from them many times in the past. They also sell factory refurbs,which can often be a very good deal.


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Thanks SO much for your responses. I'll try your suggestions. nm

I'll just leave it at that, why swim against the flow
arguing with women who need all this procedures.

This is actually all so bad for women who really keep their good looks up to their 60s,even 70s, because then not so lucky women say enviously, 'Oh, she had plastic work done!' even if it is not true.
Prescott, Jerome, Flagstaff, DEFINITELY Sedona. You'll NEVER want to leave!
u
Specs
Hi - sent you an e-mail outlining minimum specifications.  Good luck!!
I do it per the account specs.
I have some accounts that want it spelled out and some don't.
Well, maybe the account specs call for

whatever changes she is making.  It may sound silly, but some accounts do not want things the "correct" way including grammer, meds, etc.  


Every job and account have their own specifics.  Get some experience and stay where you are, then move on up!   You may find the same thing at another job, depending on the account.


check your account specs too

One of my accounts doesn't want 0's added if doc dictates 250 even though it means 250,000


You need the same specs in a laptop as you have in your desktop.

You needs at least 512 RAM, a good sound card, Ethernet/wireless card, and a dial-up modem if you plan to travel and work, so you have multiple options for obtaining work.   Any computer you buy off the shelf should have everything you would need but maybe the dial-up modem. 


If you use a foot pedal you may need to be an adapter to convert your pedal to USB, if you are using serial/game port with desktop. 


 


computer specs info
The Belarc download to your computer will also tell you every single piece of hardware/software you have downloaded on your computer and it will also tell you if you have all of the Microsoft updates you need for your computer and will have a Red X on any item that needs to be downloaded again. I have saved this download to my desktop for future reference. This is a great tool that a tech guy from www.worldstart, message board, advised me to use.
What are the technical specs on your notebook (sm)
Would like more info on the specifics such as the brand, RAM, processor speed.
Could be the acct and/or lack of specs.

I also think it is important to start off with people who know the account, follow the specs for the VR to learn the specs correctly.  In time with everybody on the same page it should improve, but if you are using all the shortcuts and have experience in the account I can't help but wonder if it may be worth looking into another account.  My line count is actually down now from the account that made me really start like the Escription platform.  I had a mostly ER account with other basic 4 reports in it that would allow me up to almost consistently 800 lines edited lines per hour.  The work was very inconsistent and the company was not reliable so I moved on making less money but much less stress.  The accounts do make a difference but until you try another account you may not know what your potential really is. 


In answering the other question regarding hot keys, I learned just like mentioned above.  Learn them one at a time.  Start with Alt k, then Alt Shift K, Alt ., Alt ,, Alt :, etc.  Use you jump keys, which are very easy to learn and you'll use them all the time, ctrl arrows, ctrl shift arrow, ctrl backspace, etc.  All of them used together really are a time saver.  Get in the habit of using alt 2 and alt 1 too to adjust speed of playback.  For the nice easy ones go ahead and alt 2 to your content and get the report knocked out, for the tougher ones alt 1 and slow down.  I do this throughout the reports as I find it easier to listen quickly to some parts, and slower with others that need more changes.  Any bit of time saved makes a difference. 


Also, in my first report I mentioned working with kids, etc.  This is a biggy for me.  Working 3rd allows me to actually work without distractions.  Small distractions make big difference. 


Positively! When I designed the specs for this pc a few months ago, I made sure it would be...

VISTA READY.


It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get! No point in joining. nm
s
I'll go! I'll go!! I won't take hormones and will be ready to defend your honor :) n/m
.
No. It'll be the most expensive magazine subscription you'll ever get, and it's unnecessary
s
You'll get used to it. It is keeping the right leg propped up at the same time that'll be the
When I broke my ankle, I was just grateful it wasn't the hands. Without our hands we'd be totally screwed.

I broke my right ankle slipping on ice and was lucky to have gloves on because the palm of the glove was totally torn up and my hand was okay.

Good luck and be sure to do your exercises when it is time.
How does one find out the computer specs on my computer?

I should know this, but I just don't remember how to do this.  I am hoping I have enough RAM, or whatever, to load work platform on my own computer and begin working on it, rather than paying *rent* on the company-furnished computer.  Thanks so much.


It'll happen. You'll find your fit.
You might have to kiss a few frogs first, though.
Oh she'll spice it up alright, she'll be
placing hidden cameras in the other ladies' dressing rooms! LOL!
continue your goal; he'll/they'll get used to it/over it
nm
I'll vent and I'll sign my name sm
I have two IC contracts right now. I recently went back to a job I had quit earlier in the year to work for the other company I am still working for.

The newer job has 80% ESLs. I transcribe OP notes primarily and I can fill in other work types as the opportunity arises. I am frustrated with this particular situation. After 6 months, I am making less money and working longer hours. I am past the learning curve and I should be doing better, at least in the number of hours I am spending doing the job. We have run out of work for 24 hrs at a time at least 5 or 6 times since December 1, and in November it was more than that. I have a friend who worked for this company as well and she was having similar difficulties. The only thing that we can figure is that they are shorting us line count some way, because after 6 months at it, it should be easier/faster/more money, but it is less and less every single pay period. It is not a nice thing to accuse a company of doing, but it SEEMS that way to us. I am fed up with being expected to type every single OP note that comes in 24/7 and meeting the 6 hr TAT for them on weekends, evenings, holidays, wee hours of the morning...

I took back a job I held for 2-1/2 yrs. The team leader has changed and this gal thinks that I should be on call 24/7 for whenever she has work. I might have some at 7 a.m., or perhaps not until 6 p.m. or later. I can't plan my personal life and between these two IC situations, I find that I am not eating on a daily basis, not showering on a daily basis and not sleeping more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. I have lost weight and I don't feel very well. I woke up today with a rip roaring head cold (my first in nearly 8 yrs) and it has already moved to bronchitis and I am expecting pneumonia by the weekend because I develop it very easily. I already have deep pain in my back.

Yes, I should call in sick tomorrow, but I really can't take the fallout. The job I took back I am covering for another gal who wanted vacation over the holidays and if I have to call in sick, the team leader will call me and pitch a fit about how this is my responsibility. It IS my responsibility, I did say I would do it, and I will do it, despite being quite ill. In the past, when I worked for this company, they would not allow me to call in sick for a "cold" without a doctor's note. I worked through many illnesses with them and only called in sick when I developed West Nile Fever and while I was sick for over a month, I only called for my last 12 reports one day when I could no longer see the computer screen because my head hurt.

The problem is that yes, many MTs lack work ethic. They don't take their responsibility seriously. This is not a work as you please career, not even for an IC. I can see the MTSO's point of view, I truly can. Like finding experienced, reliable and capable MTs, for the MTs who are these things, finding a company will treat you like a human being is equally difficult. I sit here, feeling lousy and like I am an utter slave labor with no consideration whatsoever. I know that my work needs to be done, but when I am this sick it is better that someone else do it for the sake of the work, for accuracy and for speed of getting it out. I know that I am needed, but to be the MT these companies need me to be, I also need to look after my own health.

I will also mention that when I have asked for vacation, I have been approved for the time, but the MTSO queues up my work and calls me then I am not on the system getting it done. I have told them I had been approved for time off, but the MTSO didn't schedule anyone to cover for me and I am told to get on work, vacation or no, if I want to keep my job.

Thus, I work 24/7/365 and have for years. I work sick, I work when I am in pain (I have an AI disorder), I work exhausted from staying up all night covering for others who are allowed to call in sick and have vacations when I can't have either. I work having no health insurance and not being able to afford the $125 a month to buy some with a high copay so I can see a doctor. I work without breaks for breakfast, lunch or dinner and I sometimes come close to having an accident because if I leave my desk to go to the little girls' room I get nasty calls about where I am at and what I am doing.

Many MTs are mistreated, and I am one of them.
Tell him you'll give him your macros if he'll give you his Lexus, his ski cabin, and (nm)
;p
Control. I'll still get OT though. And you'll
still sit and complain!


I'll join you on that one, I'll be 58
@@@@
thanks to both for suggestions
don't know why i didn't think of this one...it just might work.
Thanks for all the suggestions. sm

I'm not very adventurous so I don't know how I'd like stripes or room themes, but I'm looking for a splash of color here and there.  I did like the idea of the pale blue sponge roller over white walls for the living room and a tan color for the dining room to make it a little more formal.  I think we're going to give that a try.  The sponge roller will give a little hint of color without making me feel anxious with the too busy or loud.


Thanks again, all


Thanks for your suggestions
I appreciate your suggestions. I have no typos in my resume or cover letter, I have contacted the phone company and let them know that I need DSL for a job, and I have received feedback from my online tests. I did have a position offered to me recently but I didn't have DSL and had to turn it down. I'm sure something will come along eventually. It is just discouraging to be so excited about entering a new career only to find so many hurdles. I guess it will only make me stronger. Your encouragement helps.
suggestions, please!

I need to order a .wav pedal, player and a word expander.  Anyone with info on a good pedal/player reasonably priced? Files will be sent to me as dss files.  Is there a good web site for new/preowned MT software?


TIA,


sunnyMT


Thanks for all the suggestions.
The IRS check came through in the mail today, so my backside got saved big time.  I also got a second job offer today, so I'm going to work two jobs for a while.  At least until Christmas.  Then I'll decide which job is better or if I can handle both on a permanent basis.  I do have some stuff to sell on ebay, so that'll be some quick cash.
Suggestions

Here's my 2 cents for whatever it is or isn't worth.  Bear in mind that I'm my own worst critic.  The hours worked and dependability aside, the first thing I would do is honestly evaluate my own work.  In other words, what criteria did I use to determine that all the work, or at least that not QA'd by myself, was crappy work?  Was the work really crappy or am I a "comma freak" or did I send QA feedback in a constructive rather than a critical way.?  Sh*t runs both way, QA people can kill even a good MT; MTs can also kill a good QA person.


As for the other QA person,  I personally wouldn't give jealousy the time of day unless that QA person was in a position to QA my QA, in which case; yes, she could give you serious problems since many company's management do not have a clue about the work an MT does and wouldn't know quality from crap.  Thus, they listen to the employees they trust and jealousy just doesn't factor in.  The only thing one can do about that is hope they don't get cross-ways of a jealous type person.


After evaluating myself and finding I had done my best and that every aspect of my job had been above reproach; then I would tell this company to take their job and stick it where the sun doesn't shine and I'd move on down the road until I found a company that would appreciate my dedication and hard work.


Good luck to you and don't let this get you down.  While they're hard to find, there are still companies out there who appreciate hard work and dedication and whose management understands MTs because they have been there, done that themselves.


suggestions...

I don't know what Harry & David is, but.. over the years I have given/received flavored coffee, Godiva chocolate, gift cert for lunch at local restaurant, book of car washes,  package of CDs, certificate for massage at local health club (my favorite!), manicure certificates. 


Wow! THanks for these suggestions!

I am going to try the "propping" of the keyboard and see if that helps.  I think I will also order the Smartgloves and Handeze and give them a try.  I used to take glucosamine and chondroitin and I seemed to develop hip pain when I did.  When I stopped it, the pain went away.  Tried it again, the pain returned.  I can't imagine why that would happen.  Maybe I should give that another shot just in case! 


I have been tested for thyroid in the last year, and many years before that, and it is always negative.  I have so many of the low thyroid symptoms.  Oh well...


Thanks everyone so much!


Here's some suggestions for you...

First off go to the local library and look at the April 2005 issue of Consumer Reports.  Each year they rate new/used cars for reliability and it's a great way to see what vehicles have shown to be reliable in your price range and which ones you should run from.


Once you've narrowed down a car regardless of where it comes from you should pay to have a CarFax report run. This report will tell you if the car has been in any accidents. 


After CarFax clears the vehicle then you'll want to hire an independent mechanic to check out the vehicle.  While this will cost you around $100-150 it would be well worth it as they'll tell you if the vehicle is truly in the state the owner says.   Even if you get a car from a dealership with a supposed warranty always pay someone else to review the vehicle because you don't know for sure that the dealer's "checking people" will be honest in their claims on the quality of the vehicle.


Good luck on the search and let us know what you end up with!


 


 


 


More suggestions

If you're into sports how about giving yourself a Christmas present of some golf lessons?  That's one sport you can actually play alone or just go to the driving range...subtle advertising of your availability.  


Loew's and Home Depot sound good in theory but I wouldn't recommend it, more likely to meet someone else's honey-doer.  If you're interested in handy men, maybe volunteer with Habitat for Humanity?


If you are at or near senior status, either join or volunteer at, or join, your local Senior Center.  Lots of single, lonely old geezers there.  Membership starts at age 50 I believe, volunteering at any age.


If you like bingo, try your local American Legion, many of them around the country have weekly bingo games.  Lots of middle age singles go there.


Get active in joining and/or volunteering.  You need to be around people.


 My Christmas wish for you is that Santa will bring you your soul mate.


suggestions

With accommodations for an extra dog being an issue for you, and since you have done everything within reason to try to locate the owner, I would say a week would be long enough.  You said yourself you have all fallen in love, and the longer you wait the harder it will be on her as well because she will start to think of you as her family.  I know most of us can’t help but have fears about taking a dog to the pound, but most of them really do excellent work in placing as many animals as possible, and making sure they are spayed/neutered and up to date on shots.  If you have to take her there, you many want to consider a donation towards her adoption fee, as having part of the fee prepaid will go a long way in helping someone choose to adopt her.  Another option you may consider is contacting a lab rescue group, they will place them in foster homes and thoroughly screen potential new owners to try to find the best home possible.  You may want to visit someplace like petfinder.com to find a rescue group near you.


Thanks everyone for all your suggestions! :) NM

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Maybe I can save my furniture and my sanity. LOL
Other suggestions for FTP

www.YouSendIt.com is another solution for e-delivery of large files, for low-volume users.


If you are looking for free FTP -client software, though, check out this link:


http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Software/FTP_freeware/


 


My suggestions
The poster above is right on it, for one. Slowly start adjusting the speed of your dictation and push yourself a bit, just so you have to work a little harder to keep up.

Learn as many keystroke combinations/shortcuts as possible -- avoid the mouse as much as possible.

Use your word expander: Put words, phrases, chunks of text in it. You should just be gliding along, rarely typing an entire word.

Don't eat/drink/smoke while you are typing - it takes your hands off the keyboard. Only do that during a break.

Most importantly for me is to set a specific goal for that 1 or 2-hour block and concentrate VERY hard on getting it. Push. Reward yourself with a short break when you're done. Then start again. Don't view your day as "8 hours" or "10 hours" ... look at it in 2-hour chunks of time.

Be well rested and eat lightly before you start typing.

Make sure you are comfortable and well supported in your desk and chair situation, lighting, even perhaps a little light music in the background.

Believe that you can do it. YOU CAN!!!
I need suggestions, please (sm)

ham, potato salad - used to always go with a hot dinner, but a few years ago started making potato salad instead and like this idea better  - BUT - can't think of a vegetable.  Okay to have a hot vegetable with potato salad??  If so, what?  Green beans seem like Christmas, corn, no.  Can't decide.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  thanks


Any suggestions . . .
for reasonably priced DSL?  Suggestions would be appreciated.  Verizon charged me 62.17 this month as my introductory offer is over.  Does this sound like too much?   With the price of gas I need to cut corners somewhere.  Thanks in advance.
Thanks for your suggestions . . .
I am going to call them. I thought my introductory offer ended the first 3 months. Now I reached the 6 month mark and it went up again. I think my bill should be the same every month by now.
Can anyone help with suggestions? sm

Hi!  I just began working for an online company this week full-time, which I *LOVE*, especially after coming from a prior management position that was very stressful.  My main problem, though, is with productivity.  I used to type 120 wpm and could roll through 1200 lines a day with no problem whatsoever, and now I'm really struggling to get this minimum line count in.  This company has a tremendous platform, lots of training help, etc., and it's not that - I think it's primarily due to my physical issues, so I'm hoping for advice here.


I have RA/mixed connective tissue disease and just started seeing an occupational therapist this week, who is going to work on increasing my strength in my arms, which she says have gotten extremely weak, and has also given me some compressive gloves to wear at night to reduce my hand swelling.  I look forward to seeing the changes there, but primarily now need help with some things that I thought my fellow MTs could help with:


1.)  Ergonomically, I've got a decent desk and chair, but am going to get something better in the future, after I move into a larger home.  Any suggestions on where to look for the best desk ergonomically?  My OT even suggested the articulating arms, but I like resting my arms on a desk - so perhaps an executive desk would be best for me.


2.)  Chairs.  This is always an issue with me.  I have a nice chair with massage, but still not very comfortable.  I also need a way to elevate my legs, as they are severely swollen and uncomfortable.  Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way to use a reclining chair with a foot rest - but wonder if you have any ideas here, too?


Thanks so much for any help you can offer.  I know it will get easier as time goes on, but for now I'm really struggling so am having a hard time getting going in the mornings b/c I'm up late the night before getting my minutes in, etc., so it's just a viscious cycle.  Thanks so much for any suggestions!


Any suggestions for
My feet tend to swell while I'm working. I alternate feet while I'm working and try to alternate propping them up, but they still tend to feel swollen, especially by the middle/end of the day.  I was thinking support hose, but I don't know, any suggestions? 
Suggestions
What about Italian sausage subs with onions and peppers? Or a "sub" night with all sorts of assorted deli meats and cheeses, with all the fixings?
What about making slow-cooked BBQ pork ribs in the crockpot?
What about a "breakfast" dinner with eggs and smoked sausage?
A salad night with chicken, tuna, potato, macaroni, and green salads? My husband loves those during the summer. Then we have leftover salads for lunches the next day.
What about shepherd's pie with ground meat, mashed potatoes, and some type of vegetable (peas, or green beans, or corn) layered?
What about an "assemble yourself" chef's salad with all the fixings including pieces of grilled chicken and assorted cheeses and dressings?
Hope these suggestions spark some new ideas for you. :)


Thanks for the suggestions....sm
Thanks everyone..there are some really good ideas on there..

Most of all, "thanks, KB" for sticking up for me! I agreed with everything you had to say and appreciate you!
My suggestions are...sm

I love exercise videos and have just about everything you can think of.


Some good beginner videos are Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds, Tamilee Webb's I Want That Body, Kathy Smith's Lift Weights to Lose Weight II, and Iron Yoga.


Also, beachbody.com has great videos.  I have done Slim in 6, Slim Series, P90, and I'm currently working on P90X.  For your situation, Slim in 6 and Slim Series would be great. 


I buy most of my videos on Ebay.  You might want to check there first before buying new. 


My local library also has exercise videos.  In fact, that's what got me interested in them.  I tried almost all of their videos and I purchased the ones that I loved.  Try checking with your library to see if you can get them there.


Thank you for the suggestions!
I appreciate all of your feedback and I look forward to trying out all of the new ideas!!! Thanks!
I don't have any suggestions...sm
because I have thankfully never had to go through anything like this, but I will keep your friend in my prayers.
I need suggestions please (sm)
I have been using an Expander for years now, and I am still typing out "thrombocytopenia."  Every time I make up a short form, I forget what it is, and waste time looking for it, so then I just type it out, but I am getting sick of it.  Any suggestions?
suggestions

Believe it or not, use lop for thrombocytopenia...you know, lack of platelets. I know, I know, I'm different but it works for me!