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Laptops and traveling

Posted By: sbMT on 2008-11-04
In Reply to: 'thanks for your response but I think you have to be Wonder Woman to do this... - starving artist

I have two accounts that I work on. My account during the week we don't have strict times, just a time you have to have files done by, so that does allow for a little more ease. On the weekend I cover for a small 50 bed hospital, so sometimes I may have 20 files, sometimes I may have 2. The one on the weekend has a special footpedal that you can only use with their program, but it really isn't that awkward in the car. The one during the week I can use a foot pedal or use F2 to start/stop, F3 to rewind, F4 to FF. At first I was a little slow with this but now I don't find my speed any different with using F2 or with the foot pedal.

It takes some getting used to, but where i live it takes forever to get somewhere, and it's really nice to be able to get some work done. I actually got to make some extra money the other day. My mom drives for a trucking company and they needed someone to take her to get her truck. So she drove my truck to go get it (about an hour away) and I worked the whole time. Got paid a $100 bucks to ride in my truck and work! Of course that was like a one time deal.

The best for me though is getting to go to Florida and visit my dad who is 6 hours away. I can still take my work and work on the road with a pc card (about $60 a month) and not have to take time off. Just have to make sure you discipline yourself to work and not chat with hubby! :)

Like I said, it takes some getting used to, but it comes in handy!


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Traveling MT- I need you!
nm
For those of you doing MT while traveling...
what about internet security? How do you make sure your work is secure? If you are using some other wifi connection when out and about, do you feel it's private? I am trying to figure out the basics. I'm clueless about this laptop thing but it sounds very versatile.
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I went to San Antonio a couple of months ago for 2 weeks. I rented a laptop from Rent-A-Center, had the company install their software, and took it with me. I worked at the local library the first weekend because they had wireless, but then my father-in-law just went to the cable company and got me a modem for the 2 weeks I was there so I could work at his house. I would do it again though, even with going to the library. It was great to be able to go visit family and friends and not have to lose work either.
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I have seen some posts about MTs who travel while they work.  I would like to try working in the car but my husband is afraid I will get motion sickness.  I am prone to motion sickness on curved roads and cannot read in the car.  Does anyone else have a problem with this or find that they don't have a problem with typing?  It seems like it would be different then reading a book or newspaper especially if I know we have a straight highway drive.
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How can they expect you to be a traveling Transcriptionist and go cold turkey into a facility and maintain a line count of 1500 lines?
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I would love a job like this. Where do you apply for it. Also, do you have to do ops to get the job?
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Are there any traveling transcriptionists out there and do you like it.nm
x
laptop while traveling
What about to send and receive your work via internet services.  I would think a wireless/high speed internet would be needed, first of all; but then will that work at all motels that advertise high speed internet services?  Any other tips regarding this will be appreciated.  I am in the thinking stages of this right now, so want to get the details worked out before spending a lot more money.  TIA
Here's how I work while traveling...sm
If we're staying at a hotel, I stay only at one where there is a secured high speed internet available. They'll be happy to tell you if the connections are secured or not if you ask. How you know is this... if it's secured you'll have to enter passwords to enter their system. If they're not secured, you'd just plug in your cord and go for it.

If we're staying with relatives then I stay only with those that have the high speed internet connectivity available through a secured connection.

If neither of the above are available then I use my PeoplePC dial up account to work from. While it's not as fast as DSL/cable it connects well enough to let me work.

I take my keyboard and mouse and plug them into the laptop so that I do not have to depend on the laptop keyboard... which drives me nuts to type much on! Of course the foot pedal goes along as well.

Happy traveling!
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Where in MT, you can E-mail me
q for those traveling with laptop --
if you use a rolling case, have you had any problems with the laptop that could have resulted from being a bumpy ride? my brother said never to put a laptop in a rolling case, but if i travel by air, i'd practially have to to bring all my essentials along...(and not stoe it)
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Does anybody do transcription on their laptop, other than those working for that company that has its own board on here?


Laptops sm
I would appreciate knowing how much memory the laptop needs, as mine is pretty slow. My desktop has more than enough, so could I plug my laptop into the tower of my desktop? Sounds crazy, but I would not have to move the monitor, just the tower case if I'm going to be at another location, that in itself would be so very helpful. Is this possible? Have USB ports available on both. Also (dumb question) do you use a footpedal or function keys?
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I've been looking into getting one for my son who's going off to college - which ones do you use and are happy/not happy with?  Thanks!
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whole time.  Almost every truck stop has internet access, even WiFi, so you can get internet in the truck.  Lots of hot spots across the country, can get an air card, use cell phone, etc.  
Regarding traveling transcription post below,
was offered $19-$22 per hour for hourly positions and 9-13 cents per line for line positions, paid travel including air, hotel, and rental car, full benefits, and ability to come home every 2-3 weeks for 4 or 5 days.  Would you take it?  Assignments could be anywhere in US and anywhere from 1 month to 3 years or so.  Thanks in advance for your time.
Question about working while traveling..sm..

Since I have my own account and no one to cover for me, I bought a laptop so I can take my work with me and get out of the house, go on vacation, etc.  I'm used to typing at a desk with the keyboard on a keyboard tray and a little lower than the computer.  I have an external keyboard hooked up to the laptop on a spare desk for now.  I just can't picture myself typing at a table or something when on vacation but what other choices do I have? 


Anyone have any advice for staying efficient and keeping up typing speed but not being at a desk?


Going with a small group but I am traveling alone.
Yes, it does sound great! I've already downloaded the schedule of speakers -- going to be at the CSI-Decapitation exhibit, see Richard Simmons, lol. I'm also curious to see all the vendors and what they have to display and tell. LOL

Using a laptop computer while traveling

Hi,


In answer to your question, I have a USB aircard through Sprint, which I use here at home since I am in the "boonies" and only a mile and a half from a cell tower however, so my connection speed is great.  When I "travel of the weekend" it is usually up to my significant others, and he has DSL available there so I use either or,


Hope this helps.


 


Never had a problem traveling with equip. NM
X
Question for traveling laptop workers

When staying in a hotel with a desk and internet connection to work, where do you put your keyboard?  Anyone have any suggestion for a portable table to use that is the right level.  The desks are too high.


Thanks!


those are ads for recruiting - not traveling transcription positions
Kforce put the ads out to attract travelers. I worked for Kforce for 2 years. It was up and down with the work. My health insurance would get cancelled 10 days after an assignment ended, unless Kforce had another assigment to go to immediately. There were times I did not have for up to 3 months. There is always good and bad with a job. Unfortunately, I needed something steady and with insurance, so this wasn't for me.
Okay..I'm a.k.a. WanderingMT. Either way, I'm a traveling, working woman LOL

Need Help. Traveling and cant get express scribe to work......

I flew to my parents house.  i didnt want to have to take my laptop on the plane as I already had a bunch of luggage and two little girls.  I work out of EMDAT and use express scribe.  Well I cant get sound and I keep getting a message that says there might not be a sound card installed or the sound card might be in use by another program. 


Is there anywhere online where I can download a sound card, preferrably for free?  I work for two companies and didnt take off work, and I am afraid they are going to be very upset if I cant get up and running soon.


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My experience - first time traveling and working

Just got back from Lake Tahoe.  I told some of you I would report back and let you know how it went.  This was my first experience MTing on the road, and it went so smoothly.  I worked about 20 hours from the hotel.  They had nice comfy chairs and table big enough to hold all my stuff comfortably.  It was amazing being able to look out over the lake and the mountains while working.  My only complaint was this particular hotel did not offer a weekly rate for WI Fi.  They charged by the day, and it was kind of pricey at $12 a day.  I was worried about not having my books, but it was not an issue at all. 


Taking a vacation by myself was the most amazing experience.  I would highly recommend it to any of you who need to get away from the daily stresses of life.  I feel so refreshed!


Advantage of Laptops?

Another poster asked how many MTs use laptops, and that got me wondering what the advantage to a laptop would be.  I understand traveling, but it sounds like some use it for home. 


I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm trying to figure out how I can transcribe outside on the back deck with a C-phone and computer (I live in a rural area).  I guess a laptop, extension cords, and moving with the sun would probably be logical, but are there any problems with that scenario that anyone can think of?  Does anyone have any other ideas for outdoor transcription?  I get kind of lonely during the day, so I thought the outdoors might help.  Also, work wants me to transcribe 2 hours before breaking!  Even though I'm new with this company, I haven't met that goal yet.  Thought I would try some new scenery, if it's possible!  ');>


More about laptops, would you share?
What brand do you have?  What specs, actual screen size, hard drive, RAM, ports?  Do you have a parallel port for your foot pedal?  Do you have a docking station?  I'm looking and am curious what everyone else is using.
should not use laptops on laps....sm

Read months ago in news articles that men should not use laptops on their laps due to radiation to their male body parts and affecting sperm counts...


it can be googled for verification


I have 2 laptops, 1 in case something happens to the other, but
99% of the time I have used the same laptop the entire time.  I do work full-time and until recently worked 7 days a week, so it has gotten lots of use.   I've also traveled quite a bit with my laptop so it has taken lots of wear and tear. 
laptops are no different than desktops.

You most likely won't have a serial port or game port connection on a laptop unless you have it customized, but there will be several USB ports and most everything these days comes with USB connections.  There will be a place for headphones on any computer.  As far as the rest of the stuff it is the same and you would look for the same things as if you were buying a desktop.  I was told recently though that the Sony Viao run hot and that they weren't really made for a mobile type situation. 


If you want to travel you have to know all your internet options because you'll find yourself in various situations and your primary option may not be available for some reason, so you always have to have a backup plan. 


Opinion on laptops.....sm

Would anybody mind telling me which type of laptop pc they prefer....Toshiba  vs. HP, type of processor etc. that they prefer  ex.AMD, core duo etc.  Considering getting myself one but there are so many out there with so many different specs it is getting quite confusing.  You are welcome to e-mail if you wish.  I would appreicate any input that I can get to help sort it all out. 


Thank you so much......


speaking of laptops
how do you sit outside when you need a foot pedal??  laptop knowledge is  sort of new to me also.  Thanks!! 
Looking at Dell laptops, need help plz..sm

I am going to purchase my first laptop with Dell but have no clue which one to get.  I will be working from home with it so I am not too concerned with wireless internet connection and all that.  Does anyone have any advice?


Thanks


I use laptops exclusively...sm
I have used a laptop exclusively for years and years and have never had a problem with the screen. I currently have an HP with a 17" screen and keep it constantly during the week. It is about a year old and is just fine. My old one that is for personal use is still going strong after 3-1/2 years.

Any advice on laptops? sm

I'm searching for a laptop to use occasionally.  I have a Dell desktop, but have heard some bad things about their laptops.  A friend did tell me that Acer has a good reputation for their laptops.


Any/all advice appreciated.


RUN FROM DELL LAPTOPS
Ish will never by a Dell again!!!
Laptops - I am clueless!
Sorry if this is a really dumb question but are all laptops equipped for headsets and foot pedals?  I hate all my wires and am considering going with a laptop and wireless connection to do my work but I'm not sure if you can plug in your foot pedal and headset? 
Employees Using Laptops

If you are working from home as an employee, do any of you have employers who allow you to use laptops?  If so, does the company provide those, or are you required to buy your own?