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normal.dot confusion... plz help!

Posted By: moMT on 2008-02-09
In Reply to:

Surely someone else has encountered this problem.  Well, we got a brand spankin' new Dell XPS 420 to our door yesterday!  It is wonderful... I just have a slight problem.  Had Word 2007 loaded onto it and now trying to figure out how to convert my normal.dot from Word 2003 to this.  Any help?  It is loaded with a ton of info that I REALLY need. 


TIA




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You can replace the 2007 Normal.dotm with your old normal.dot file. sm
Open the old normal.dot in Word and save as the new file format.

The easy way is to load the oldest version first and then upgrade.

I'm completely normal and met my normal husband online. sm
I also met casual dates online (read: real social dates, NOT sex hookups), and all were completely normal. I wasn't meeting who I wanted to meet in the other traditional ways (church, through friends, at work, etc) so I looked online and found someone whose sense of humor shined through in his writing, and that is who I eventually married after 2+ years of traditional dating. We are both college grads, gainfully employed, financially stable, non-perverted, normal people. BUT, I did have to sort through a LOT of personal ads, as there are certainly plenty of oddballs out there, as well, just like in the outside world. :-)
confusion
confusion is the name of the game for them -- they don't want the MTs to figure it out, but I do think that MTs do have some intelligent snap or else they wouldn't be MTs, but that's kind of hard to get across to someone who constantly puts the client first and tends to ignore or take forever to listen to MTs concerns - like the speed on the system that you can't slow down to figure out the garble that 99.9% of the docs throw at us.
Confusion
I believe there is a misunderstanding -- I had said 6 cpl for her, 2 cpl for me. And true, I sure would prefer to earn 9-13 cpl, but have not encountered a situation yet which grants me as much freedoms and a good working relationship as I currently enjoy. Thank you for your input and I sure will keep you all posted on our progress.
confusion..sm
I have added entries to my *test expansion* (auto correct) and I have also created macros for numerous addresses for doctors envelopes. I want to save both of these, so I can reformat my hard drive without losing all of this valuable information. Again, BOTH macros and auto text.
I think the confusion is that there are two flames!
One: A flame picture shows up to the left of a *hot* post or one that has been viewed I think more than 200 times.

Two: To be flamed, is an expression, like if you post something and a bunch of people post back in disagreement etc. It has nothing to do with the other.

I got a kick out of the fact that you thought you were being *flamed* (flame #2) for your post!

I'm pretty sure that's accurate and hope it helps!
grrr - more confusion
I tried calling HP and they recommended Word Office Suite 2007 (another $400) - but I think I read somewhere that 2007 is not compatible... ??   and that Transcriptionists are going with Word 2003 ?? 
Whoops! DH gave DD the car (sorry for the confusion)!
What happened was that I thought a second hand car was fine and she should pay for it like I did in high school but he said, "Are you kidding? You bought your own car in high school in 1975 when it cost a couple hundred bucks. If she bought her own car now she'd need a loan for the friggin' thing. It's just not possible anymore for kids to buy anything like that from a minimum wage job at the Dairy Queen, plus if by some act of God she was able to it would be a piece of junk and unsafe."


Word Expander Confusion
Okay, I am not a veteran transcriptionist, but not new either.  I have never been taught the use of increasing productivity by word expanders, macros, etc.  I have been doing some research, downloaded some trials, but I am still very confused.  What is the difference between purchasing an Expander or just adding words to autocorrect already built in the computer?  What is the best program to get?  Can anyone take the time to enlighten me?  Thanks in advance.  If once taught, I think I could really catch on, but I am confused!!  Jill
Hate to add to your confusion, but have you ever given thought to working as a SE ??
I know there are very few companies offering such but, in my opinion, it's like having the freedom and flexibilty of an IC with some of the benefits of being an employee. I am a SE and have the stability of a company that offers me more than enough work and the freedom of when I work with a 24-hour turnaround time. I don't have PTO, but between the increase in pay I received when hired (after being stagnant for 12 yrs with prior company) and the fact that they withhold Federal & MedCare taxes for me,I'm able to put the X-Tra money toward my own PTO, insurance,or increase my payment on credit cards.

After reading that PTO for employees at my former company is now having to be used when there is no work - I do believe I made the right decision to seek a company that offered SE status. My "stash" of PTO will be used as "I" see fit.

FYI - I have been with this company for 1 yr & have experienced only one slow-down of work which occurred over the past Fourth of July holiday. Other than that, if I've wanted to work 24/7,the work has been there.

Just something I wondered if you had ever considered. I just feel I have the best of both worlds. Just depends on you and your needs.
To add to the confusion, a black widow is a creature of the underworld. (nm)
x
My service told us to use mg/dL...as well as mL instead of ml, "to avoid confusion." nm
x
Line count questions/confusion/upset

I would like some line count pros to help me figure this out, please!  During the recruiting process I specifically asked how I would be getting paid and I was told "per line which includes 65 characters including spaces, footers, headers, and any norms pulled into the report."  I downloaded the FlashCount program from this site and started comparing this line count against the company's.  So far, It "appears" that I'm getting shorted about 100+/- lines/day and they are using more like 74 characters with spaces.  What is the difference between cpl and gross cpl?  How would you interpret their explanation for how I would be paid?  Is the FlashCount program accurate enough?


Thanks!


Oops! No, I wish, but I get .065 cpl for a line consisting of 11 words. Sorry for the confusion!
nm
normal? Normal means you have a.....S/M

There is no *normal* in this life..........


There ARE conformists and nonconformists but normal doesn't exist. Sorry. 


You must have a preconceived idea of what *sanity* is, eh?  *lol*


MQ motto: Confusion To The Enemy. (MTs are the enemy)


How dare we expect to be paid.  We are their subservient women working "from home" (how dare hous fraus want to be paid money for sitting around in their PJs)


Have I got that right yet?


Forget that this is hard work, takes many years of training, and lots of investment of our own money just to be able to do it.


I need some coffee, brb


Not normal
Actually, I love my company.  It's just that every year after the 4th it seems to slow down for a short time.  That's all.  I have been with many companies that this has happened at, small and large.  This is the best company and best pay that I've had. 
No I get normal...
That must be a different account they have many accounts I do a VA account
8-10 u/l is normal nm
.
Yes - CT and MRI, all normal. Dx as
nm
It's normal, like my mom used to say. . . sm

"In order to remember something new, I have to forget something old."


Truth is, you may be able to remember the pair of ice skates you got for Christmas when you were six, but you don't remember to buy milk for 2 days in a row.


My mom always said that her "brain was full of useless information." 


 


Is this really normal?
I've been with my current national for a year now, and I'm burnt out.  I do acute care work, struggle with lots of ESLs, and work on several different accounts.  For the past 6 months or so, work has been very low on my primary, and I bounce around from account to account, and I only work part-time.  I hate that.  I wish I had a primary that kept me busy and only in rare instances would I have to work on my secondary or tertiary and so on.  Instead, I may work on 4 different accounts in one day just to get in 500 lines, and of course it takes me longer to do that on accounts other than my primary because those accounts have a lot more doctors.  Getting the same ones isn't a daily occurrence, and if you do, they're the difficult dictators.  Is this normal?  It's hard for me to shop around and look for a better national to work for because I don't have high-speed internet access, and some not only want high-speed access, but they also are very specific about what type you need to work for them.  I feel stuck, but I am grateful to have a job and that it's not flipping burgers or working in retail.  Been there, done that....in my youth.
it can be normal, but what is normal?
and it is definitely frustrating, being bounced around. It would slow anybody way down. As far as burn-out -- take more or longer breaks maybe. Exercise inbetween -- walks do wonders for state of mind...maybe try talking to your supe, to see if you could be put on a primary that would have enough work to keep you on IT. Sometimes changing your work hours improves the work flow too, ie, evening shift, weekends... hang in there, as my mom used to say, "the only thing constant is change".

anyone know how to add a normal
tyty!
You are A-OK and quite normal, actually.
You know, it took me at least 2 years to realize there is nothing wrong with me, as I started to wonder what you are wondering now. I spent 2 years blaming myself, but realized it is just part of getting older. I think it is actually a good thing, because we are not losing focus at all, rather I believe we are probably concentrating more on quality. I know before even in midcareer I did not have much of a tolerance for even commas, I cared about the line count. Now, I actually care about the commas, and the patient care. Plus, I care about my family, my mental well being, as well as the bills. I used to put the bills first and the patient second, and I was single. So, now I accept who I am, what stage of life I am in. The line count seems to be coming back. For the last couple of years when I felt burnt out and blamed myself, I could not do anything to get that line count up, more I blamed myself, more the line count went down. Now, I accept that I have to treat this job differently, accept who I am, and although I won't probably ever get 3K lines a day, and I am happy even half of that, seems like life is easier.
You are quite welcome, and you are not losing your mind. I just hope you don't blame yourself and celebrate your life and your maturity! Good luck :)
Normal sm
Congratulations, you have reached the Twilight Zone. It is normal for those of us who do it, to not remember typing things up and say, "Wow, that's interesting." I think it's normal, anyone else have a humble opinion?
Is this normal pay?
Where in the heck can you make $11.50 in fast food?
That sounded all normal to me. And SM
remember that the day after Christmas there won't be much work anywhere.
If being gay was normal, the population would die out soon
The one thing nobody has mentioned is that gays cannot reproduce-- they have to recruit, so if it was a normal thing, they, too, would be able to reproduce. Whatever your thoughts and feelings, you will have to answer for your lifestyle someday---.
These are all normal things for me as well.
If I were you, I'd change what I'm doing immediately to what she is requesting as these adhere to all MT rules that I am aware of.
What is your average TAT for being an IC. Is this normal....

I am just wondering what is the average TAT for some of you that are independent contractors.  I have an account that has a very short TAT and it is clinic work.  I have an average TAT of like 6-7 hours.  If it is not turned in at that exact time, I get an email saying that the work needs to be sent over.  Is that normal?  Also I haven't gotten a raise in three years.  I get about 6.5 cents per gross line (no matter now much or little is on the line). I have been with this company for five years.  I just need some advise here.  I am told by my husband constantly that I need to just completely move on, but I like the work because it is easy. 


How much support is normal?

The company I am with is pushing hard for MTs to go from clinic and ER notes to acute care.  After 4 years, I feel like I am ready for this but this company offers extremely little in the way of samples, maybe 2 or 3 on some of the toughest authors; no way to review reports that have been sent for editing, and no way to communicate with others working in your accounts.


I have the basic format of the work down but the authors can be very tough to learn with no feeback.  There also does not seem to be any kind of raise involved, so if I can do 250 LPH doing clinic notes why struggle through that with a company that does not seem real inclined to help?  For those who do acute care, do you prefer it or do you do it for more money?


RE: How much support is normal?
Do you not want to increase your knowledge/transcription skills? Do you not want to increase your employability? A good Transcriptionist seeks to broaden their base of knowledge and experience in all medical specialities, not just a few. It is not all about money, providing a service (ultimately to the patient) is one of my impressions of being a "good/great" transciptionist.
Normal interruptions?
I have that much in about 2 hours because I am not tending house, watching after a 4 year old, cooking dinner, washing, have the phone on answer so I don't have problems with "normal" interruptions.
It is normal to have to purchase your own
provide the PC.  Some will provide the foot pedal if you do not have what is required.  Some companies give you the option of renting their equipment.  It all depends on the company, but yes you will have to have your own resource books.
Go To VIEW>Normal
You have it viewing in read mode. If this does not do it, let me know.
word normal.dot too big
I read this, if your normal.dot gets too big word is slow to open. they say you can just delete it, do a search and delete.
Normal Lab Values
Here are a few sites:

http://www.student.med.umn.edu/wardmanual/normallabs.html
http://www.mtdaily.com/mt1/lab.html
http://www.meditec.com/normal-lab-values.html
http://www.galter.northwestern.edu/reftools/normals.html
You can take your normal.dot and .acl file with you.
Normal.dot holds your AutoText, macros, keyboard shortcuts, and formatted AutoCorrect entries. The .acl file holds your plain text AutoCorrect entries. Just be aware that you can wipe out somebody else's entries if you are not the only one using the computer.
Normal amount?
There is no "normal amount" in this field. It's a matter of if your pay works for you and you feel like you are rewarded properly for it.


saving normal dot

Problem is with some of the proprietary software created by some MTSOs, the normal dot still will not save even when you have the prompt, all you get is a message that normal dot is open elsewhere or some such nonsense, and then you are offered the opportunity to save normal.dot by another name, and even then it still won't save.


I posted earlier an autoclose macro that may solve this problem; however, it probably would be a good idea to also use an autoexit macro as well to cover all bases and I will post both here. 


If that does not work for you, I do have another work-around but it is a lot more complicated.  You can solve part of the problem by attaching and add-in your own templates, and save your macros and your autotext there instead of normal dot, but autocorrect is saved in normal dot, and you have to save your normal dot to save your autocorrect:


So try these macros;  cut and paste into your macro editor:


Sub AutoClose()
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler:
If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.Save
MSGBOX "Normal template is saved
    Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
MSGBOX "Normal template is not saved
End Sub


Sub AutoExit()
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler:
If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then NormalTemplate.Save
MSGBOX "Normal template is saved
    Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
MSGBOX "Normal template is not saved
End Sub


If everything is saving as it should, then you can just delete the line of code that has the msgbox so that word just closes without having to click okay. Write me if you need some help doing this.


Save what? The normal.dot?
If you checked the option to prompt you to save the normal template, you will be asked if you want to save changes that affect the normal.dot. This can be formatted AutoCorrect entries, AutoText entries, macros, toolbar changes, and a few other changes.

If you clear the check for the prompt option, changes will be saved anyway and you will not get the message.

Or are you being asked to resave the normal.dot to another name? If that's the case, you have a problem.

I think it is normal to have a lot of blanks when ...sm
you are learning an account. You have to learn the things the doctor says and get accustomed to it.
you take EVERYTHING that you would use in a normal day of work
The internet thing I dont know... I am working away from home now, but the hotel has wireless internet, so I Had to get a wireless card (and I have my desktop with me, not a lap top). Anyways I got Linksys and it was simple and helpful to set up, comes with a c.d. and everything. Other than that, you need whatever you would use on a normal work day. For me this includes: (other than obviously my keyboard, mouse, other comp stuff, etc.) My head phones, foot pedal, the notebook i keep notes in, my Medical Society book with all the docs names listed... any software that you need for whoever you work for obviously... It's not too bad, I do it all the time when I travel. Unfortunately, I don't get vacation cause i take my work everywhere!
You'll be fine other than LIke I said if they dont have internet AT ALL, Im not sure how that works.
Normal speed.
Or even slightly slower, if need be, if it's one of those guys (or gals) who is trying to set a new land-speed record.
Actually it is D5 0.25 normal saline
xx
Exactamundo. I haven't had a normal
Where do they go? Not only do I not get normals, I can't even get rid of the crap at the end of my shift. I will get the same stinko files back 12+ hours later. Someone explain that to me, please. I must be the only one on the account or something.

And if I get one more goofy, nonsequitur email, my head is going to explode.

I'll be starting with MQ in August. Say what you will about MQ, it's just *got* to be better than this!
I haven't had a normal in 2+ years now. (nm)


 


Mood and affect are normal

Glad to know your life is normal :)

Hang in there. Could be worse. You could be trying to find a shirt to match your skirt for tomorrow morning. :)


Last year was the pits for me. My mom died. A month later my car died. A day after we finally came up with major bucks to get the car fixed, my sister almost died from an aneurysm and spent over a month in the hospital 100 miles away. Then my grandson was born 1 month early, too small and with a cyst on his brain and spent 3 weeks in the hospital. Then we found out that one of our twin grandaughter's, who was born with a hole in her heart, still has it, and although smaller, hasn't healed by 18 months as expected. Things were a bit rough last year, but I have a wonderful husband and kids, a strong family and a sense of feeling thankful for what I have. One of my mom's favorite sayings was, "This too shall pass." I certainly hope it does for you. Take a deep breath (another one of mom's favorites) and march on! You can do it.


P.S. Sister is fine, grandson is thriving and granddaughter is healthy and due for a cardiology recheck next month. They're going to monitor for now but will have to close up the hole in her heart should she start to get sickly. She's 20 months and 30 lbs. and 34 inches tall, the exact same size as her twin.


Good luck to you.


Sounds like your normal.dot file
Easiest if you do a search for this file. After it is gone/renamed, it will create itself the next time you start Word. Have you ever gotten the message "your local normal.dot file is newer than the one on the server"? Always answer no to this.