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Thinking of buying a laptop..any raves or complaints about yours??nm

Posted By: noname on 2005-10-25
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buying a laptop

Good morning.  I am just today going to buy a laptop and need some advice.  There are 2 I am looking at, a Dell and a Toshiba.  Any suggestions on which one to go with. 


I am planning a trip and do not want to take vacation days since my pay would be so much less by doing that.  Anybody that has done this, please give me any and all advice that would be helpful...  TIA!!!


Company thinking of buying a new --sm
transcription system.  What features are most important to you?
Emachines anyone? Thinking of buying one just for MT/wordprocessing. Pros? Cons? Don't want to p
nm
I'm thinking about buying Saunders Pharmaceutical Word Book 2007 on CD/ROM...sm..

I've never bought a drug book on CD/ROM but I'd like to try it.  I'm guessing it would be quicker than looking everything up in a book.  I'm trying to get away from looking things up online because everytime I stop and look something up online I end up checking email, ebay, all the boards, etc., and not focusing on my work.  They're so much temptation on the internet! 


I've bought one book (QLDB) back in 2000 so I need an update!  They sell the Saunders Drake & Drake Pharmaceutical Word Book  on CD/ROM and in the book form as a package or you can buy them separately.  I'm wondering why someone would buy both. 


Any advice before I buy would be appreciated.


Speaking of Kenny Chesney, is anyone thinking what I am thinking? see message
When I hear the words, "annulment" and "fraud" in the same sentence, I can only think of one thing.  Anybody else thinking the same thing?
To all of you Escriptionist out there...Laptop question. Have any of you found a laptop that you can
thing. I tried one of those adapter that goes from the 9-pin to the USB but when I plugged in the USB my foot pedal did not work right. I know supposedly there is a help section on the escription website that says the adapter may work and how to make them compatible etc but it never worked for me. Has any of you find a solution or a laptop that this foot pedal with work with. I'd like to work while traveling and get a laptop but it never worked on my old one. Ideas??
Complaints
Human responses states that they do not know of many problems because only isolated complaints are coming in.  Everyone with complaints needs to contact HR and follow it up with an Employee Complaint form found on the MQ QNET web site.
I have ATT/SBC DSL and have no complaints.

I have had on one problem with it.  For about a week, I would lose my connection for a few minutes everytime the telephone would ring.  I eventually called them and they corrected the problem the same day I called.  Other than that it has been perfect, nice customer service. 


I had Earthlink previously and hated it.  Customer service was horrible, foreigners everytime I called, which was often.


As I go. That is the only way. No complaints so far.
x
With all the complaints sm

about not making enough money (and I agree that wages are getting really bad), how many folks that are complaining have less than 5 years experience.  Five years is the minimum, in my opinion, that ANYONE should have before attempting to do any kind of MT at home.  It takes at least that amount of time to feel comfortable with acute care.  Even after five years, when you start working at home, by yourself, isolated from other MTs, it is very difficult.


Years ago, it use to be  mandatory you had 5 years in-house before a national or anyone else would hire you to work at home.


The "troublemakers" in this industry are the so-called schools who have come on the scene making big promises about huge yearly incomes after 3-6 months training!  It takes years and years of active MT to be able to feel comfortable working at home and be comfortable with all or nearly all work types. 


The attitude of not wanting to do OPs or other type reports, or ESLs or bad dictators, etc. etc is one of the things killing our credibility..  This is not about PRODUCTION!   This is about patient care!


If an MT wants to only do what suits that MT, i.e. certain work types to make more money, then the person is in the wrong business.  I am sure I am going to get flamed over this, but I don't care.  I am sick to death of hearing the complaining about dictators, job types, work hours, etc.  If you are a MT, especially IC, you work when the work is there, you get all kinds of stuff and you take the good with the bad and you work long hours.  Its a part of the job!


If you have less than five years experience and you are just starting to work at home, coming out of in-house setting, then you are a BEGINNING IC and you will be offered bottom wages.  But, if you prove yourself, hopefully, eventually your employer will pay you more.  If that employer does not, then you can go to another employer, with your experience and try to get more pay.  If you think coming out of school and demanding top wages or working 3-4 years, esepcially NOT in acute care and getting top wages is possible, it is NOT.


I am also sick of those knocking those of us who have years and years of experience doing what I call "hard time" in this business.  We have done it, we leraned our trade and we can make the money.  You have to come up the same way.


Now I will sit back and wait for the fall-out, I am sure it will happen!


 


I thought the complaints were what the
MTSOs were paying their MTs or "MLSs"; not what THEY were charging.  Most people have not known what MTSOs are charging any account.  Again, the problem has been the pay received by the MTs.  So you see, if MQ is charging 20 cpl and paying their MTs what, 8 to 11 cpl; seems to me MQ or any other MTSO charging those rates would have room to increase the pay to those who are making money for them, don't you think??? 
And they don't hammer you with complaints (sm)

because you typed "an" instead of "and"?


Guess I worked for some real b*****. 


My husband is hot !!- No complaints!
Now my first husband was another story. . . .
So far, I have had no complaints on my end or from anyone I am talking to. nm
x
Online complaints
You might want to review this site if you're thinking of having it done.

http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/lifestyle_lift_complaints
Not long ago nothing but complaints about no work at MDI-FL.
x
people, we see many complaints of dictators
nm
that co helps biz deal w/complaints...
Thx for the link, but I noticed this on their 'About Us' page:
"It was established to help companies meet government compliance requirements and safeguard corporate integrity."
They note on another page that they were established to assist companies handle complaints and compliance issues.
I wonder if there is a site that lists contacts that employees can go to with violations; I'm sure that the Fed Govt has departments for different violations where employees can go.
I thought that Medicare and Medicaid used to have a program similar to the IRS' program wherein they reward people who bring violations to their attention by giving them a percentage portion of the amount recovered, including fines (which are STEEP for companies who get caught violating laws and regs.)
Just curious. Would love to have contact info for reporting different issues that they would also assist the 'little guy' right wrongs against them...


relative newbie, but no complaints here

I started out brand spanking new in October 2007 working at home.   I hadn't even finished my on line program yet, but I needed to pay the mortgage.  I got very lucky to find a company fairly quickly that would hire newbies.  Pay sucked, but I knew that going in.  I didn't know how bad it sucked at the time - I was just ecstatic to have a job.


I knew then and I know now that I'm never going to get rich in this profession.  I knew at the very beginning that I was not going to make a lot of money right away.  I didn't.  I was lucky if I averaged $5 an hour.  I also knew that I had to stick with it and get my experience in with a company that was willing to work with me and then I could move on to another, better paying job when I was a little more comfortable.  I did a lot of research about this going in and if there was a company or an on line school that promised a lot of money right off the bat, I skipped right by that one.  I'm sensible enough to know that's a load of horse hockey.


I love what I do.  For the most part I enjoy the posters on this forum.  Even the Negative Nancys.  That just makes me work that much harder to do well so I can prove to myself that it can be done and I haven't made a mistake in learning how to do this.


As to starting a separate positive only forum/board. It can be done.  It's fairly easy, as a matter of fact - and free.   It would be separate from MT Stars, which means this thread and/or message is probably going to get poofed. 


I'm happy to set it up, though, if y'all are serious.  Feel free to e mail me.


I'm in the NE, my friends and coworkers are in the NE, and these constant complaints are just bog
There is always work as long as one isn't a "queen".  The only MTs who are running out of work refuse back-up accounts, won't type outside of their "box" - i.e. specific hours like 9 am to 11 am, and won't work any daily variation without bonuses dangled in front of them.  Otherwise, all of us are fine - hustling, busy, learning new accounts and basically working!!  The offices all have phone #s and real live people answer the phones, etc. The drama these 2 or 3 ladies daily report on just doesn't exist.  For months, one was always screaming the Indians were getting her work. She just KNEW it was the Indians - no other explanation. Well, she found that was wrong and never mentioned a word of apology or clarification. Then it was VR taking all her work, or the phantom cherry pickers.  Its simply the talented MTs who are learning back-up accounts and learning them well!  But to hear these women rag on, you'd think it was doom and gloom, which just ain't so!
Listen dont believe that. There are a lot more than isolated complaints. MQ wants you to think that.
You know, the old you are the only one BS they give. Dont believe they are isolated for one minute. They lie to put you off the track that way. That is the MQ WAY.
I looked up their web site and posted under complaints
Whether they do anything or not is another thing, but just MAYBE if they get enough complaints, they might. I suggested that when they go out to check out a facility they actually LISTEN to some of the dictation these foreigners are putting out. I told them I had many years of experience but it was becoming almost impossible for me to do my job because of them. I decided it would not hurt and like I said, just MAYBE somebody will start taking notice.
Checked the BBB and got "unstatisfactory for not responding to complaints"
In my contract, it states that if I don't finish out the two weeks after giving notice, that they will not pay the last check (which is basically everything I have made!)... total it is only about 500.00 for the two months.  BBB is a good idea though.  I think I'll do that.  I know this has happened to other people, and its SO frustrating because this was my first job.  They are preying on new grads, and now I don't have a job!  At least I got some practice and got better though.
oops "WERE" numerous complaints...lol
x
Complaints about hard work solve the problem?
Not at my office.  It's all for one and one for all.  I have never complained of course.  Have you?
QA, 2750/monthly, salaried, excellent benefits-no complaints here.
Was a long time coming though.
QA, $3000/mo hourly so get some overtime too, bennies paid, no complaints. nm
x
Take all arguments/complaints re: running the board to e-mail, please. Locked. (NM)
Goldbird
File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, your state attorney general, and the SM

state attorney general for the state The VLC is located in.  I happened to check it out and they have offices in Niagara Falls, NY and in Ontario.  Be sure to forward copies of every thing your file to them.  You can fill online complaint forms at the FTC website and the NY Attorney General's website.  Print out copies of these forms and mail copies of them after you fill them out to the school with a letter basically stating that you have reported them to these agencies and they will be intervening for you on this matter.


I also like the idea of putting cc's on your correspondence to a local news reporter.  And call them every single day until they are tired of hearing from you!


Good Luck!


Buying new
The MT company I work for supplies my computer but I have account on the side from my home computer. I had a computer "cracker" here last week for a serious problem and he suggested I go on line and get a Gateway. Does anyone have any input?
After buying car after car and never really sm
having one completely paid off, I finally got into leasing. I traded for a lease car and had it for 4 years. It was in great shape, inside and out at the end of lease period. I took pictures of the car from all angles to cover myself. Then I "traded" that for another lease, the car which I have now. The payments for lease cars are the same as if you were buying one on loan. The higher the down payment on the lease, the lower the payments are. The longer the lease period, the lesser the monthly payments but there is also the interest charge to consider.

At the end of the lease, though, you have the option of trading it for another car or buying it outright. I leased my current car, a mini SUV, for 4 years with payments of $300 per month, then ended up buying it for $7K at the end of the lease period. I essentially paid the same amount leasing and buying this car as if I had a loan on it. Leasing is not cheap, but you always have a new car. With leasing, you get no equity in the vehicle. If you are a person who wants a new car all the time, then leasing might be good for you. I like a new car all the time, too, but the monthly payments are too hard on my budget. Also with a lease you are required to keep up with the maintenance of the vehicle--more so than if you owned it outright. I don't quite understand your statement about "low payment because you only pay for the amount of money it would depreciate for the time you own it." You never own it, and the monthly payments aren't low.

I hope this helps. I haven't had my caffeine yet.
before buying one...

You should maybe rent one for the weekend, drive it around, and see how you like it. I had a rental when my son wrecked his truck, a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.  I fell absolutely in love and my hubby got me one for Christmas!


Renting one for the weekend will give you a pretty good idea if you're gonna like it or not. I personally have never owned a convertible, but did drive one (my bosses wife's car) and it was ok, though not that great...good luck!


Not buying it...sm

I didn't graduate from CS or from either of the other 2 schools considered the BIG 3. I had a recruiter from MQ call me the very week I passed my course.  My instructor gave them my name after I graduated.


And if you look on MQs website under FAQ, it states that under certain circumstances, they will accept candidates with less than 1 year experience if they graduated from ONE of the MT schools MQ has a relationship with.


Sorry. Not buying it.
You must work for the folks who are pushing this fiasco. I can tell you from first hand experience. It indeed DOES take longer or as long (just to be fair) to edit as it does to type it.
You are so right about buying there
I bought several items this year off Etsy for my Christmas presents, flower pens, individual painted flower cups for the ladies I gave to, have bought soaps there before, lots of stuff. I really like Etsy, some really nice things.
I'm not buying it.
These are just some of the incidents some of my Canadian friends have gone through:
1. My GF's husband decided he was still a teenager and went snowboarding, tore up his knee and had a 6-month wait for an MRI.
2. Same GF her best friend had an abnormal mammo. 3 months to get an ultrasound.
3. Ex boyfriend's ex-wife broke her leg while they were skiing. They kept her on Morphine from Friday until Monday because no orthopedic doc was available to do the surg.
4. Another GF of mine was on a specific type of thyroid medication that was the only one that they found worked for her. Then they decided it was not a covered drug anymore and she could no longer get it in Canada.
5. Another GF's husband needed cardioversion waited over a month to get it, meanwhile he was in horrible shape, legs and ankles swollen.

I'm sorry this is not acceptable patient care. The latest estimate is $1.3 trillion dollars to re-structure our health care the way Obama wants it restructured. Everyone puts Bush down for his "agenda" on Iraq no matter what the consequences. This is "Obama's" agenda. This country does not need another $1.3 trillion debt for future generations to have to try to pay off. JMHO.
I'm sorry, is anybody buying this story? sm
part-time, 16,000 per pay period!!! Come on, I'm not buying this at all.
Buying local ....
Unfortunately, some of us don't live in areas that have a lot of choice. My town is tiny and we have a teensy WalMart that has items that (I really think this!) have been there waiting to be sold since the day it opened years ago! I buy from JC Penney's from a catalog outlet here in town (if they're open) or online, sometimes I shop in one of the larger neighboring cities. Frankly, unless I'm buying cotton or watermelon, it ain't happening here :-).

However, in defense of your statement, when I lived in a larger city and had variety (and choices!) I did shop in town more often than not. I miss those days LOL.
BOS is changed so you have to keep buying the new one--$$$$
nm
Better off buying on Ebay.

I bought this computer and what a mess.  I was told that it was bought for her daughter just the previous year and still had the warranty.  She was going to transfer the warranty to my name. 


I thought that because I used paypal I would be safe, but that is only if you buy off of E-bay.  When I received the computer, it was a whole two years older than I was told and there was no longer any warranty.  The seller conveniently died a week after I received the computer.


So, if anyone contacts you about this computer, BEWARE. 


Just an FYI when buying it from another user
Be sure to notify Textware Solutions that you purchased it & who you purchased it from so we can update our records showing that you are now the licensed owner. This will ensure that you can receive technical support, discounted upgrades in the future, etc.
I usually stick with buying........
...mine from the tattoo shops.  However, I most recently bought one at one of those little jewelry stands in the mall and I haven't had any problems with it. 
Buying a house sm

I need some advice. 


We're in the process of buying a home.  When we were searching today for quotes on a homeowners policy, we found out the home had $14,000 in water damage in 2003 and the insurance company (Farm Bureau) wouldn't insure it for us.  There was, however, one company who would insure it but for a really high premium.


We were supposed to close on the 25th.  I'm considering backing out of the deal because of this.  Would I be able to get my earnest money back since the seller didn't reveal in this in their disclosure?


Also, would you pay the higher premium and buy the house because maybe whatever caused the problem is fixed?


By the way, we haven't had the inspection yet.  It is to be done on Monday.


Help!!!


 


 


No sense is buying anything until you have a job.
Transcribers are rarely used anymore unless you get a local account.  C-phones are still used occasionally, but most work is done using a foot pedal.  If a company requires a foot pedal to test you can use Express Scribe, which is free, and just use the hot keys.  I wouldn't want to use hot keys all the time, but they are fine for testing. 
ShortHand is $100. Get to try before buying it, too. nm
s
buying computers
Do we have the option of buying the computers from Medquist and does anyone know how much they would want? I would just as soon use this one which is customized to my favorite websites instead of buying a new one- don't want to get in trouble for checking my email, doing banking, etc.  Do they offer the option to buy the towers from them versus returning them if you quit? I have only been with them for 3 months so my station is a newer build.


Noooo! That's like buying the cat in the bag!....nm
nm
You work for both MQ and the company that might be buying
>>
I don't think that optometrically wise buying off the
c
Amen. We gave up buying for the whole
extended family years ago. Now we buy for our nuclear family and parents. My children are grown now, so we spend less now than we did when they were small.
It's on eBay if you are interested in buying there nm