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really? i thought flat screens were harder

Posted By: sm on 2007-03-26
In Reply to: Monitor recommendation - thanks in advance

on the eyes -- boy, that is good to know otherwise...


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Flat screens rock!

When I worked at a hospital that had regular computer monitors, by the end of the day my eyes would be really tired and I usually had a headache, no matter how I tried to adjust the brightness/colors/fonts on the computer.


At home I have a flat screen and even after working all day, I could come home and chat literally for several hours using my flat screen and my eyes would not be tired at all.


I highly recommend them! I have a ViewSonic 17", which is plenty big enough for what I need, which includes transcribing, internet, some Photoshopping/graphics, and playing computer games like Freecell and Scrabble for relaxation.


Melena or hematochezia. This is harder than you thought, huh? nm
x
Basically, harder dictators and harder reports with a lot of formatting with tables, etc. SM

give you extra lines because of the time involved in doing those particular reports.  Not so much you get paid more per line, you just get extra line credit.  For example:


You have a 100 line report, but it is weighted because of a table that you have to input.  Then you would maybe get credit for 130 lines for that report.


It can be either. There can be screens
that the docs will use. There will also be dictation and/or editing.
Drug Screens
You are right! I would not be offended if asked to take a drug test - nothing to hide. I do not want someone having privy to my personal info who is on drugs and acting irresponsible. Had my identity stolen once, it is a nightmare to get straightened out. Don't want my SS# and other private info going to other countries either.
the owner screens the MTs and knows what she is doing.
There is one editor/QA person who if push comes to shove and you can't get it you can e-mail that person. It's a small company and run smoothly with no pompous people allowed and no incompetent people allowed.
touch screens
Yes, they do exist. I bought an HP Touchsmart (computer/touch screen monitor in one) for the same reason you are interested in touch screens, and my pain then moved from my wrist/hand to my shoulder, so I don't really recommend this myself.

What has helped me is the input device I purchased at about the same time. It is called an AlphaGrip (link below), and what drew me to it is the fact that the mouse is right at the tip of your thumbs while you're typing. It took a little getting used to, but has been well worth it and fairly easy to transition. I now transcribe from my easychair, reclined the entire time.

Check it out!

http://www.alphagrips.com/


Talk to the doc about what types of screens are
time on the PC.  Also I was told that stigmatism is a common thing to have but a lot of people do not know they have it.  I wear glasses now, but I think my eyesight is getting worse from the looking at the screen as well.  You should probably take more breaks from the PC. 
Don't they make antiglare screens or
something like that??
17 inch is a good size - they have glare screens

I have had both types of monitors - now both 17 inches but one is a flat screen and one is not.  They do offer glare screens to put over your monitors to cut down on glare which stress the eyes.  I have no problems and been using a computer monitor doing this MT work since 1990, but been transcribing for much longer than that.


Best of luck! 


It's not a flat 30%
My mother-in-law managed an income-based place.  What they do is figure 30% of your income BUT they deduct so much for each dependent.   It should fall between 300 and 400 after deductions, which is still good rent consider housing prices these days.   Depending on where she lives, she may find a mobile home less expensive or in some towns, private homes are cheaper.  Tell her good luck and it will work out!
I have a flat screen already, but sm
it is small.  I would like to go larger.  Thanks for posting.  This answers my questions as well.  Didn't know if bigger is always better, but sounds like it works well for others. 
Yes! Yes! Yes! Flat screen!
I have a 19 inch flat screen and love it! Once you get a flat screen you will never go back! Also the weight difference betwen them is huge! To can pick up that flat screen and move it around anywhere you like. Would highly recommend. PS. I have a Westinghouse 19 inch,  and I would recommend a 19 to 21 incher!
flat screen
I have a 19" flat screen monitor and I love it to pieces !
I charge a flat fee of $30.00 to compose
Once I receive the check/money order, you receive the letter/resume.  LOL  (I do not work for free.) 
The bigger the better. Flat screen.
nm
I just got a 22" flat panel LCD Monitor for $119. sm
at BestBuy. I absolutely love it. It will automatically adjust. It has an "auto adjust" feature. It is a "plug & play" when you hook it up to your computer.

You will like it.

All of my computers are Dell and the new LCD monitor is Westinghouse. Works fine!!



I got a new monitor, flat screen, but
on getting it bigger and do I need to put the CD in that came with the monitor? Not my computer, it belongs to the company I work for.
I used to charge a flat rate

If they don't like it, then they'll get it right the first time.  I think 2.00 is fair since you have to pull it up, etc., and it is taking time out of your day. 


You are basically charging for your time, but why shouldn't you?  It's not like it was your error. 


I have been in this business a long time and I am in a funky mood, and let me tell you, I am about ready to charge out the ying-yang for everything from now on because so does every other business operating in the USA.


Say what you will, but I did "walk into" this after being a nurse and I have not fallen flat o
face. In fact, I have been an MT for about seven years now (not a long time, but long enough to realize that I haven't fallen flat on my face). I enjoy my job and I do it very well. Not everybody can do this, but I can and my nursing helped me tremendously.

how do I clean my flat screen monitor...
I have wiped it off very lightly, but something is smudged on it and I don't wanna ruin it!
Flat rate long distance sm

I have been using a Lanier for dictation since November and got one of those not so nice letters from AT&T giving me 5 days to stop or they would switch me to 10 cents per minute. (Not in this lifetime will I pay that.)  Anyway, I checked around (only took about 2 hours to look) and didn't care for anything I found and really did not want to switch companies as it is a PITA. So, I checked on the AT&T website to see what else they offered. They have a business plan for 49.95 a month plus tax-total cost around 70.00 a month. I called and talked to them and asked them at least five times if I can use dictation on this plan and they said yes, I could. I wouldn't  get anymore nasty letters from them. Instead of putting in another line, I just switched my residential over to business and it's only going to cost me $20.00 more a month than what I am already paying right now. Not a bad deal at all for unlimited use. You have to sign up for one year, but heck, if I can work and not be hassled by them, it will be worth it.


On-call like she says with a flat minimum rate - sm
would be the way to go. My DH used to have to do on-call for some equipment his company had in a local plant here. He was on-call one week out of every month as it was rotated with 3 other techs so they would have a break as this was 24/7 for 1 week. We got the odd call at 3 a.m. which stunk and he had to go in right away to deal with the problem, but he got $400 extra a week for doing this, and it was over 5 years, and he probably got called in maybe 5 times, so it can be worthwhile. He hated it just because he felt tied down that week and could not have more than 2 beers those nights, but he lived, and it helped out our finances a lot. I missed it when it was gone, but by then I was working so it really did not matter. He also got extra if he had to go in in the middle of the night. During regular business hours he did not, but any other time he got mucho extra $$$$ on top of the $400, very sweet deal. I think it would have to be worth my while to be on-call, especially if they happened to call you in a lot. If you do it, I'd leave a clause that the fees were to be reviews and renegotiated/increased as necessary at the end of 3 months or something like that.
Sorry! Wrists at 180 degrees in same flat plane as
s
? switching monitors to flat panel sm
I have ordered a flat screen monitor from Dell and will be switching from a 14 inch dinosaur to a 17 inch flat screen on an Acer tower. I just wonder if I am going to have problems or does it "adjust itself" without problems. Need more desk space. TIA
Our company pays a flat rate
based on the length of the meeting, and they schedule multiple meetings so you can choose which one to attend (during your shift or outside of your shift). Of course, they also pay downtime, so it sounds like our companies have somewhat different philosophies.
My husband read about that in the book The World Is Flat.
Makes me mad! What has happened to our country!?
Have you tried placing your keyboard in neutral (flat) position? (nm)

I bought a 17" Samsung flat screen for under 200 bucks. I like
j
I got my computer locally so as not to deal with Dell and Fed Ex etc. I have a flat panel and I
think it is okay but not as clear as the regular monitors. I think if you pay a fortune for an LCD you get great clearness but with the 3 or 400 dollar ones it is adequate. I live in PA also. I got it because it is better for your eyes.
Reco'd reading on outsourcing: The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman

I just started this book about globalization of the workforce. Friedman is a NY Times reporter and his book has been on the bestseller list for months. Anyone concerned about outsourcing should check this out. I've got a long way to go but even after just a couple of chapters, I'm finding it very insightful and true to my experiences.


I read an interview with the author that appeared in Wired Magazine a few months back. My favorite quote of his goes something like this:
"When I was a kid my mother told me to eat all my vegetables because people in India are starving. I tell my kids to do all their homework because people in India are hungry--FOR THEIR JOBS!"


PS: My company does not outsource any transcription!


Try Packet 8 - Unlimited long distance phone - flat 22.05 per month.
nm
Try putting phone book next to pedal so your foot is flat and not angled on heel. NM
x
OF INTEREST TO ALL TIME WARNER CUSTOMERS...THEY ARE GOING TO START CHARGING FOR USAGE AND NOT A FLAT

This really sucks as the article said it would impact heavy users only.  My cable bill is already high but to be charged for actual using will skyrocket my bill.  I think I could spit nails right now.  I can post the article if anyone is interested.  They said it will be a trial period.  Anyone else use Time Warner?


I would bet its harder now being a kid than
You almost have to be mean, because mean people get respect and heard.  Nice people are easier to stomp on.  While your teaching your kid please and thank you, other mommies are teaching theirs to be ruthless and cruel.  Truly to the core nice genuine people are so hard to find these days.
It was harder for me when they were that age too - sm
They are 6 & 7 now....though when they are home sick my work goes in the toilet basically. When they were younger ( I started when then were 2 & 3) I basically just worked when they napped and at night, about all you can do. I still get up early a few days a week and work until 11 or so despite them being in school all day (though the last day is June 1, ahhgggg, way too early this year), and will have a more radical plan this summer (i.e. work 3 a.m. to noon is my goal) so I don't have to make sure they are occupied while I work all day and I can actually spend some time with them, granted I will have to take a cat nap at some point, amazing what a 20-minute rest can do for you.
I would definitely be harder but obviously
all of their clients.  I would set up an 800 call-in dictation number or a TASP and then wherever the place you move to, look for new clients in that area while keeping the old ones when you move, dialing into the 800 # to dictate (or using a hand-held and uploading, but I personally have never done it that way).  I think they feel more comfortable using a service that is local to them; that seems to be their first choice.  And then they will go with a national service if there is nothing available locally.  I think just concentrate on whatever area you are in, build a rapport with clients in that area and do a good job for them, and then when you move just continue to have them dictating long distance on the 800#.  Of course, you will have to set up to send files back electronically and not by delivering because you can't deliver once you move - so just set it up where you send files back through an FTP site or encrypted email or whatever from the beginning.
I tell them it's harder than it looks!
Every one of my neighbor friends who has kids has asked me that question. They see me home all day, know I have a mortgage, car payment, etc, and think they can do it too. I always give them the example of a relative of mine who tried to teach a nurse how to transcribe. The nurse obviously had the terminology, but could not make the leap to hearing something and typing it on a keyboard. The last neighbor who asked (baby due in 2 weeks), I just said "Find yourself an account and I'll help you learn". This was 6 months ago when she first asked and, of course, didn't bother to do that. In other words, they don't want to go to school, don't want to get an account, don't want to do anything other than sit down, starting typing something and get a paycheck in 2 weeks. It seems to be one of the only professions that everyone thinks is easy (and we all know it's NOT!!!).
We do work harder
Than most people at an office, I think. When I worked in an office environment, it was so easy to get caught up with talking to everyone and not really getting as much work done as I should have. Here at home, I HAVE to get my work done if I want to get paid! Most people don't realize that. I think that they believe we just around and eat bonbons all day! Ain't so!
You Know WHY They Work Harder?

Because they actually think they are making good money to "live in wonderful country that is free."  They don't pay taxes, they don't pay for health insurance, etc.  Not to mention, they don't do a good job, you could turn 'em in and have their butts back in their own country.  Fear is a great motivator.


Cost of living keeps going up and wages don't.  Why would ol' Joe America keep breaking his back working for peanuts when he KNOWS it's not going to pay the mortgage?  There ARE hardworking Americans out there but they have to make a profit and shouldn't have to compete with people who aren't even in this country legally.


I have never seen a harder worker than
my husband and he can do 2500 tops.  He used to QA between 4500 and 5000 daily - so he can really move through reports once he learns the doctor, their style of dictation, etc.  I'm on my second VR account and I'm embarrassed to tell you what I can do - I think 600 yesterday? I am dead serious.  It is a whole 'nother skill....
by doing the harder dictators you....
get valuable experience and when it comes down to it, YOU are the one who looks good and has more potential for raises and promotions because you can do those and do them well when no one else can.  Also, you are the one that they'll see can ultimately do ANY type of report/dictator without hesitation or problems.  So let them cherrypick.  They're only hurting themselves in the long run.  (that is, if you work for a company who actually appreciates it's employees!)
from what i've heard, its a lot harder

I know they could care less about us, we're just numbers/slaves to them, but why don't they get a little integrity for the business, make us happy for once, in turn improving quality and giving themselves a good name, and pay by the hour while we learn this technology at least.  How can any company cut pay across the board like that and get away with it?


From what I have heard, harder to break into than
a
I can assure you that it is no harder to find
good MTs than it is to find a company who treats MTs with respect (you know, not calling somebody stupid because they don't know how to use offline messenger). I don't know how to use offline messenger, either, but I am smart enough to pick up the phone and call if my Internet connection is down for a significant length of time.
scared into trying harder or leaving?
Why do some QA folks think they can really make you feel this way?  It will eventually lead to leaving, I think.  I have never QAed or feel qualified, but geez, leave the poor transcriber a little positive feedback to go on.  Anyone else share this thought?
scared into trying harder or leaving
Well, it is simple things really, more style than anything. I am not a newbie, I have 5 years under my belt. Gosh, what co. do you work for?
scared into trying harder or leaving
I forgot to add: it is the way the make the feedback, like are you attempting to look anything up... or I can't believe you didn't hear what I heard....ugh!
and yes, the Velveeta is much harder to grate
xx
So sad how I work so much harder now doing the same thing...
x
at home - harder job than public
True, I make more money, but the anxiety is killer. I work harder now than I ever did in a public position. Yes, I am here for my children when they get home from school, but I could not imagine trying to do my job with a baby. Also, as others will probably agree, the money in this field is not what it used to be. Good luck.