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Computer under warranty and the modem went bad.  Called tech support and I told them the modem was bad (I am not a computer idiot), but went through everything with them anyway.  Of course, they could not help and stated that I had to go through software support before I could be sent a new modem under the warranty.  The first thing you get in software support is a salesperson.  I told her this was NOT a software problem but I had been told I had to go through software support before I could get a new modem.  It cost me $54.23 for a one-time software support problem.  Before I did this, I asked her if I would receive a refund if this was determined not to be a software problem, which I already knew it wasn't.  She said,'YES, just call this phone number back and give us your case number and we will issue a refund'.  So like an idiot, and because I happen to trust people, I paid. I called them right back to advise that software support determined I needed a new modem and to please issue a refund."OKAY - we will issue a refund' the girl says.  Now after 2 months I still have not received a refund and the 'refund supervisor' tells me they cannot issue one because I did receive software support.  She says they will 'counsel' the girl that lied to me.  I told her I never would have gone through software support if I had know that, and if I had not been LIED to, because the new modem only cost $14 if I had purchased it outright so why would I pay $54 to get a free $14 part????  DELL LIES!  They just lost my business.  I can afford the $54, but it is the principle of the thing.  I hate the way big corporations can lie to you and get away with it.  My grandfather owned a small grocery store.  If someone called to ask the price of ground beef and an employee told them a price that was lower than the actual price, he would have sold it to that customer for that amount.  He would not have said,'Sorry but you have to pay the correct price and I will COUNSEL the employee'.  WHATEVER HAPPENED TO COMMON DECENCY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE???? 

for an experienced (12 years) high producing op note MT that is hiring either SE or employee status and that has a good platform?  I can't pay the winter heating bills when there is no work.  I don't need lots of benefits, just work.

I transcribe for 42 emergeny department physicians.  Would you create one big glossary or create a glossary for each doctor.  A lot of what is said is the same?  I have one big glossary now.  Which do you think is the best way to go?

converting my typing speed into an idea on how many lines per hour I could expect of myself.  I've done acute care MT for over 15 years and am considering going to work at home on production pay.

I type a very solid 127-130 words per minute.  So, how does that relate to lines per hour that everyone talks about? 

Thanks.

I work at home for a local medical facility that are calling some of the at-home girls to come in and work in-house.  This is a form of punishment they use when they claim our production is low.  I have one supervisor that says that I am doing a great job, production is great and to keep up the good work.  I have another supervisor that says it sucks, (okay not exactly how she phrased it) I think is what is going on is that they are losing work as some departments are going to VR and another is going to be its own separate enitity.  The in-house girls, when transcription is low, they work on other things in the dept.  This is just my guess, I don't know what is going on but bottom line is one day I get told one thing and next day I get told another and I don't want to drive back and fourth.  I did the math, with 2 kids in DC and the price of gas that would be $900 a month.       I applied for an on-line transcription company Friday and Monday (yesterday) morning this company called me and left a message on my answering machine to call them back. I had gone to talk to my supervisor and working in-house situation is only temporary she said. She said that we are going to get a big Christmas bonus this year (we have gotten anywhere from $200 to $500 in the past). I really don't know what to believe. There is another at-home girl that is getting "punished" too and has to work in-house. I am wondering if I should not stick it out with this place a little bit longer just to see. The problem is I don't know what to tell the other company. I certainly don't want to blow them off. It is just hard to decide on what to do.

I started in Feb part time as an editor, paid by the hour, $14.  I have 30 years' experience as an MT, but only a few months as an editor.  Now I'm being told I'm not producing enough.  I'm doing about 200 lph.   They want 225-325 lph.  I listen to each report and correct.  I'm using Word and the track changes. There are some difficult dictators and some inexperienced MTs.   My questions:  What should an Editor average as to lph?   Should I listen through each report or not?  What if I don't listen and there is a crucial word that is not typed and I miss it.  Who is responsible?  I'm trying to provide good feedback for these new MTs and put out a good quality product.  I really need the money this job generates.  I work for a national as an MT too and that's another story.  Anyway, any feedback from experienced editors welcomed.  Thanks! 

P.S.  Are there any companies that want quality work from MTs/editors or is just now all about production and to heck with quality?   Sure seems that way.   I'm going to end up working up Wal-Mart and my 30 years' experience will be wasted.

Can anyone tell me how to monitor whether making a whole report macro is worthwhile?  I have quite a few, but I cannot decide if it is worth it or not.  I end up having to make changes and delete things.  Often seems like kind of a toss up and wonder if anyone has any guidelines for this or has experiemented with any specific result.

Thanks for any help you can give me! 

Both kids survived it quite nicely.  That's 1 down, 179 to go!!!

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Does anyone know the going rate right now for daily line quota? 

Three of my grandkids were here to spend a week with us.  They are ages 9, 6, and 4.  I had forgotten how earnest they are at that age, how sweet & sincere.  They argued over who got to help me open the gate to our driveway when we went out (we live in the boonies).  We ended up taking turns.

A conversation with the 6 y/o:  "Grandma? This is funny, right? You know James? In my class? He brought Cheetos and I brought Fritos.  Get it? Cheetos & Fritos? That's funny, right?"

I am trying to enjoy them as much as I can before they get to that teenage, who-wants-to-go-to-grandma's phase. 

I posted this on the textware forum page, but no answer as of yet. 

I am just beginning Extext Speech, and when I am linked to IText, the "magic" strokes, Alt plus period, etc., are formating strokes with IT and do not work as the magic keys. 

Is there a way to get around this so I can actually use the magic keystrokes? 

Thanks in advance..   

What works for me is setting up tasks or meetings in Outlook. It works for both procrastination and forgetfulness. I have everything in there, so the reminders pop up all the time.  If you find yourself wandering on the net, etc., while trying to transcribe, set up a reminders for yourself that say something like "how's your line count?". When it comes up snooze it for 2 more hours or an hour, so you can't get too sidetracked. I also put everything on my tasks list, chores, phone calls, bills to mail, etc., with reminders. It helps. I try too keep the number of tasks on my list down to a certain number. If I'm really busy, I might increase the number of allowed tasks for a few days. I can go through the tasks and reminders and reorganize them by making the due date/time for high priority stuff sooner and lower-priority stuff later.  When I'm done for the day at the computer, I print the task list and knock off the non-computer related tasks like phone calls, bills, etc. It's always nice to delete some of the tasks, and very little slips by undone anymore.

I work on a platform where we can pull up previously-transcribed reports for samples.  I have worked for this company for about 7 months now and have never had a QA done on my work.  I like to know if I am doing something wrong or if there is a better/easier way of doing things.  While going through some reports to get samples I have noticed things that are not that big a deal, but more along the line of somebody padding their lines, i.e., in the laboratory section writing out the number seventeen, in extremity examination writing out plus-two pedal pulses, cranial nerves two through twelve, things like this.  Also, things like sclerae IS instead of are.  Our accounts are not verbatim.

I guess my question is what would most of you do, leave it alone or say something about it?  I have left it alone for this long, but it just doesn't sit well with me.  I'm sure I do things that are wrong too and that is why I wouldn't mind getting reviewed every now and then to ensure consistency and quality.  Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions. 

Unnamed national MT co told me when hired that I would be reimbursed for a 2nd line and that the line could be a cell phone. 

 I am hooked up to internet with Comcast (42.95).  I are being asked in an e-mail if I had a 2nd phone line - Yes or No answer only - and I am unsure what to type. 

When I did have 2nd phone line when hired, it was incapable of being used on my account (tooo slowwwwww) so I had it disconnected and got a cell phone. 

Thanks!

have an offer from AccuScribe in South Carolina, 9 cpl, but no spaces.  Would like to hear opinions please, whether good or bad!  TIA!

My question is, if one is on an extremely easy account (clinic notes, not many ESLs and easy platform), is it humanly possible to type 3000 lines a day?

Thanks,

Please help! :)

My 7-year-old son has had very occasional vomiting that is associated with no other symptoms. This started 5 weeks ago and he has gotten sick a total of 3 times. He vomits one time and he is fine. No fevers, no diarreha and nothing food - specific that I can link this to. This does not occur quickly after eating. Generally, it is an hour or two after eating. He eats and digests his food properly at all other times, so this is confusing me! He saw his doctor 2 weeks ago and was started on a trial of Zantac. I give this to him in the mornings before breakfast. Today, he got sick again (just one time) and he is perfectly normal now. I did contact the doctor and we did go to the hospital for an abdominal x-ray. I am waiting on those results right now and I guess that I am a little confused about this situation! He has never gotten sick like this before. He never even spit-up as an infant. I have never noted any food allergies or intolerances but now I am starting to wonder. Has anyone else had any similar situations like this? Thanks in advance! :)