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My computer has additional ports on the sm

Posted By: nm on 2009-05-25
In Reply to: Took deep breath, several, now feeling faint! - Screaming Mimi

front. Maybe yours does, too. Odd that you only have one on the back but maybe I'm not getting the picture.


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Did your computer come with a packet of additional
software?   I have an HP computer, about 4 years old, that came with several disks of extras, one of which was WORD 2000. 
My first computer did not have enought USB ports to go around..sm
My foot pedal is an IN-BMG.

I plugged my foot pedal into the joy stick controller port on the back of my tower as it was the only 15-pin port available. Then, when I upgraded to a newer computer with more USB ports, I went to Radio Shack and bought a USB/15-pin adapter. USB plugs into the tower, the other end plugs into my foot pedal and voila!! the pedal works. Hope this helps.
3 additional?
Not too bad. I've seen the help wanted postings and wondered about them. I'd love to do the VR but have a bad back and can't sit 8 solid hours.
how many ports do you have and
which one did you plug it into?
additional info
Hope this helps.

http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html
additional thought
well, and I was having red flags pop up in my mind as well because on their website www.unitedtran.com, there isn't even a physical address if someone wanted to inquire through an alternate route, they leave no phone numbers to contact, only general email addresses. So, I really appreciate all the input tonight! Thanks!
additional info
Not sure about the driving yet.  She said she had a computer guy that might can get me set up from home.  She wants me to type into her computerized chart instead of just on paper if possible.  I have 17 years experience, it's clinic notes for the most part, maybe some letters here and there.  I was going to go with 65 count line including spaces and headers.  I am in Tennessee in a rural area, just a small doc's office.  I
I know the USB ports but I need a converter.nm
nm
Some additional thoughts SM
I'm curious about what you've decided and agree with Searching's excellent post; but for whoever else is reading, it's inspired me to emphasize a couple of things I'd have liked someone to point out to me.

One, the future of this field is editing, not transcribing, emphasizing a different set of talents and skills. Just what the differences are I don't know as it's not discussed nearly enough, but they're there. Fewer people will handle more reports, getting in and out of them very quickly. Anyone thinking of entering the field should try to assess as quickly as possible whether the abilities to read fast and edit grammar and punctuation on the fly are there. Don't transcribe for two years before finding out.

Second, some are going to disagree with me, no doubt, but school is much, much less valuable than the same weeks spent actually working full-time. This is definitely one of those learn-by-doing jobs, so examine why you're going to school. If it's to get a credential to show an employer you're ready to start learning, okay, just definitely don't turn down a chance to actually spend hours with headphones and a keyboard for it. Buy a set of med terminology flashcards.

Regarding what else one might look to school for, though, trainees should bring a pretty good understanding of grammar and punctuation to the table with them and not need school for that. If more than a quick brush-up of basic "rules" is needed, that could be an warning sign that talents lie elsewhere. Or maybe not, but be aware. Similarly, not reading very much could be another since reading imprints written language patterns in a way spoken language doesn't.

Last, more and more people are paid by production, not the hour. $0.0425 per line edited, or whatever. Do 300 lines per hour for a total of 3 hours actually spent working, be prepared to gross $38 that day. Do 850 lines per hour for 8 hours, gross $290. So although being a demon typist will always be extremely valuable, also be prepared to use every advantage technology offers to get as fast as possible. Get a word Expander and use it. A lot. Learn to write macros. And so on. Best wishes.

What the other reasons might be for some people tearing their hair out over low pay and others feeling basically satisfied with their incomes I also don't know, but the ones mentioned are very important.
Serial ports
I have a dino of a computer tower but I keep it because it has all the old stuff on and just keep adding newer things to it. Someday it will exploded lol. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the Dynex adapter!
There were not enough USB ports on my laptop so I
first ordered a port replicator on line but before it arrived I went to town and talked to a man at a computer fixing store and he suggested I get (I forget what it's called) a USB spliter-type thing that you plug into one USB port and you get 4 USB ports from it (3 more actually).  That worked out better than the port replicator did. 
Once again --- IC taxes - YOU only pay 7.5% SS additional
The only ADDITIONAL taxes you pay is the 7.5 for the SS tax.  When you are an employee all OTHER taxes are withheld by your employer.  As an IC you control the withholding of your taxes as you are the employer.   You can find many deductions that you can take as an IC to make up that extra 7.5%.   It just makes my teeth grind when someone says that now as an IC you must pay your own taxes, no employer pays your taxes except for half of the social security tax.  All rest is deducted from your pay.   My first and second year I did see a CPA but now I use Turbo Tax and do it myself.  But keep track of any and all expenses related to your business so you get the NET income down as far as you can,  going to the bank, buying of supplies, telephone, internet, mileage.  I find that I have more usable income having my own business than if I were an employee.  But again, everyone look at your paycheck stubs and see how much you made before your employer PAID your taxes and afterwards -- gee is someone seems that the taxes came out of YOUR check and they did not pay them out of theirs.   It hurts to see that 15% taken away but just get your net income down as much as you can.   So if at 10 cpl you were an employee you would need to add approximately .0075 cents or after deductions about 1/2 of a cent to pay for your 7.5 percent social security tax.   Anyway that is my math for a Saturday. 
USB ports and InScribe
Thanks.  That helps so much.  I'm really leaning this way.  Did you buy direct from Dell or from a dealer?  I guess as scribes we need to learn computer lingo as well.  I really don't know what people are talking about when they talk about 9-pins and USBs and such.  I use InScribe and Express Scribe.  You do believe the pedal I'm using now will still be fine?  Anyone with the same situation, but using Vista instead of XP?  Everything I read seems to say that XP is so much better, but maybe they are just the ones being vocal.  I do know that a lot of people do NOT like Vista. 
Look at what you're using now as far as ports for work. sm
You'll need to get a laptop that has the same kinds of ports. If you're using all USB, you're in luck because most new computers only have USB. If you're using a serial foot pedal, consider buying an model just off lease that has that port. There has been such a problem where I work because they don't have USB capabilities in their software yet and so their serial foot pedal does not work with newer laptops even with adapters from serial to USB.

I just bought off lease a Dell and made sure it had all the ports I wanted, including a parallel port because that's the foot pedal I have. The laptop was built in 2002, has over 1 gig of RAM, all the updates for Windows XP and it works just fine for me.
Thanks for the clarification and additional information.
x
Additional info on SS taxes

As above post says, you do have to pay the employer and employee portion of the SS taxes.  BUT, you then deduct the employer portion of those taxes on your 1040 at the end of the year.  It's a pain because you have to shell the money out up front, but you get the deduction for it.


So, really, there's no difference in the taxes.  It's just a difference in how and when you pay them.


Got a Targus at CompUSA - has multiple USB ports -can
x
WordzXpress gave additional pay for more difficult
adf
Did you switch ports? Go into Control Panel & see if it's
s
I agree with you - 1000 lines is wonderful additional help! sm
It is too bad you have hooked up with a person who does not value family. I always put family first. I used to not do that, and I regret those years.

I would establish borders with her - sounds like she needs it.
Depends on each company, but usually incentive pay is only on the additional lines. Ask to be sure.
s
Some new puters don't have 9- or 15-pin ports anymore. You'd need a USB adapter to hook one up
s
In addition to "port" settings, also try different ports or USB connections sm
on your computer. Mine would not work in the USB plugs in the front of my PC. Mine also would not work on laptop if I was going through a USB adapter to allow more USB outlets. I had to plug it directly into a USB port on the laptop. Mess around with it, updating your settings and doing the wizard each time. Also, reboot and see if it works. If not, try another port/setting.
No special files needed. If the PC has USB ports, then it will work. SM

Simply download the ShortHand install file from the website onto the jump drive.  Then open up your jump drive and install it.  When it asks for the file location (which defauls to c:programs) change it to your jump drive (on my PC it is the F drive).  Then install it.  The entire program will install on your jump drive.  Then plug into to whatever PC you want to use, open up the drive, double click the shorthand icon and it will run the program in the background from your jump drive.


I did it for years.  I had to type radiology in the office into Cerner with no abbrev Expander provided by the hospital.  I used my jump drive and it worked like a dream.  Everybody was amazed at how productive I was.  Never, EVER ask the IT people to help, the answer will always be no.


The help file tells you how to create additional dictionaries and, yes, they do get full. nm
xx
Do U keep playing with the ports and the types of foot pedals? An odd pedal might not work, like a
n
Need additional cardiac reference - have Stedmans - need something more detailed about heart caths,
nm
Is your pedal listed when you go Start/Control Panel and look under game ports?
s
Is it their computer? Why are they installing a firewall and autocorrect on your computer? That sm
is usually the responsibility of the transcriptionist, especially if an IC or SE.  Which company?
Question about transfering computer into to another computer.. sm

I have a dumb question - Just bought a new computer and someone told me to get a flash drive to transfer all my info.  But I'm assuming that ExText that I work off of and Escription will have to be downloaded again by the tech people onto my new computer.  I can tranfer these can I?


Thanks


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.


A computer is a computer, whether it be laptop or desktop.
I have both and use both and I bought both of mine...most companies do not provide computers...
Computer Generated Image or Computer graphic image

Computer help, please - sm

I know this should be easy BUT, tell me how to find the version of Windows that I have.  I can't find where it says this. 


 


TIA.


New Computer?
I have only ever had Dell computers, but like you said, I'm tired of getting someone named Bobby, who can't speak English. I quit buying from them and went to my local computer place and had one built. Now, when I have a problem, I get someone who speaks English. IF you live in a big town, check around. I live in a small town and it was easy to find out what was what. I would still rather have a Dell, but I don't do anything off shore anymore. The price of a small place is not that much different than buying from the places you mentioned and is a lot less wear and tear on the nerves.
First computer
The first computer I ever used was a Rayethon (think that is the spelling) computer.  It was enormous, took up my whole desk, LOL.  Nothing like nowadays.  Wonder whatever happened to Rayethon?
computer
I tried it and mine did the same as yours.
MQ computer
I got to use one of their computers free while I was training and continued until I was off probation.  Then the fee started coming off my checks.  But, the repeating theme seems to be all the offices are different.
computer
I have two HPs. I think I will do the same.
it's not the computer
You need a little stereo adaptor that you can buy from radio shack. It costs a few dollars. I'm presuming you have a a cord that connects into the computer. Okay, now, you plug the adaptor into the cord and your headset into the adaptor.

Voila!
Does you computer have enough
memory and disk space for an upgrade like this? The reason I wonder is once I upgraded my old computer and found that XP takes a lot of resources and the whole computer was bogged down and never worked right after that. Ended up buying a new one with XP already on it.
I think you can only do this on a computer with XP- sm
they did this so you could use the 98 programs on the computer with XP. I don't have either of your programs on my computer (use a physical book for the drugs and google) but I installed old Lotus, my Bytescribe, ShortHand, Quicken, various art programs, WP 5.1 DOS, can't remember them all but they all work fine. I have Stedman's spellchecker which was on my old 98, now on my XP, though I do upgrade that every couple years so that one is irrelevant.
oh, and I would use my own computer...sm
They would supply the transcription equipment.
probably better to buy a computer...
fro0m a place that sells computers, rather than an MTSO.  That way if you need to move on, no problems. 
Use of Computer
It doesn't bother me at all. The only person who uses my computer on occasion is my daughter for school work or to look up things on the internet She has to ask first though and never goes anywhere near where my files for work are kept (she wouldn't even know how to find them). It helps that my husband doesn't know anything about computers or the internet so he's never a problem.
I would never let anyone come near my computer
much less use it!! That's the one thing I have that is mine!
New Computer

Hi Everyone!  I am lucky enough to finally buy a new computer, but am not very knowledgeable and so am stumped about what to buy.  I have a Pentium III now, very ancient, and just want to get rid of dial-up Internet and burn CDs.  Any hints???  Thanks!!!


computer help
Okay, I will try this a second time, hopefully I will get this to post.  This is just an idea of how un-computer-savvy I am and will be showing my ignorance.  I always worked in house until I got laid off.  Now I am working at home, using company provided software.  I stumbled upon a web site for freelance work, not medical. I would like to try it to supplement my work.  My question is, if I got an assignment, would I just go into their website and go from there, do I need to get my own software for this sort of thing, any help would be appreciated.  I am an old dog now trying to learn new tricks!
My PCP uses the computer to
keep track of everything going on including labs and such.  He can push a button and the labs are in his "grill".  I would much rather it be that way than have to wait for a faxed copy.  My PCP is great, and he still listens.  He just uses this as a way to expedite script writing, etc.  There are also hospitals that allow physicians to access their database, so it is not really far off.  I think it was actually Hillary Clinton (who may run for president) that would like EHR to be universal, but I think it is more for consistency and to make patient access easier for specialists to follow and the such, etc., etc.
Computer

A computer is deductible.  Spend as much as you think you need to spend to get the computer you need. 


Do you know where it is on the computer?
If you can find the specific file on the computer, probably the easiest would be to highlight it and then right-click on it. Delete should be among the options. That would send it to the Recycle Bin, so to delete it for good you'd have to empty the bin.

Did that help?