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Hello, I was curious if anyone out in MT land would be interested in starting a new MT mentoring program with me. I'm not advertising or anything like that, I just have an idea that I would like to have a sort of email network that new MTs (or experienced ones too) might be able to email me their question and I would have a group of MTs I could email the question out to who could respond if they knew the answer. Does that make sense? This would be a free service just to help fellow MTs out.

I think this is something that would be invaluable to new (or old) MTs because I remember being a newbie at home and being sort of lost in space as it were.  If you are interested you can email me.

***E-mail address removed by Moderator. 

Does anyone else have this condition?  What do you for it?  I've had it for years and of course it comes and goes.  I was on antibiotics for years with a dermatologist but got tired of the side effects of the tetracycline and gave that up 3 years ago. 

Sometimes my face is clear, then 2 mins. later it is all red and blotchy.  About 6 mos. ago I started getting dry patches on  my "T zone."  I'm a mess.   Tried different face cleansers, nothing helps and most make it worse.

Ideas?  TIA

is a pollen allergy treated the same as a drug allergy, caps and bold?

  Any musicians out there?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQDPenBUC68

Most fill-in-the-blank editing rates are around 4 cpl.  What are the usual going rates for 100% straight editing VR?

I've been using a new keyboard and there are no guiding bumps on the keys to tell you that your fingers are placed in the proper row and on the right letters (F and J). 

Anybody have creative ideas of what I can do/add to the keyboard to remedy this? 

DO NOT WORK FOR TOTH TRANSCRIPTION.  They are a complete scam, and have screwed me out of 2 1/2 months of my life and have paid me less than 20 dollars.  Warning to any new grads out there, do not under any circumstance accept a position with TOTH TRANSCRIPTION.  The management/ownership is terrible, rude, inappropriate and THEY WILL NOT PAY YOU!

Just wondering what everyone uses.  I use a 17 inch but would like a 19 or 21.  I like mine big, but my mom who is also an MT says when the monitor is too big it slows down her production because her eyes have to travel further back and forth to read what she is typing.  LOL  Everyone is different.  I've seen these huge monitors at the computer stores lately, widescreen, like 30 inches, and they look pretty cool.  So...what size monitor does everyone use or would like to use?  Thanks!

international/over seas MTs? I have been looking and looking for a decent job that hires MTs from Canada, are their any?

Chili, salad, cornbread. 

Has anyone here ever felt "targeted" by QA?  I have had to deal with this in the past and have often wondered why QA people seem to make things so personal - nonstop nitpicking.  I know this happens because I have been able to see reports typed by other MTs that have tons and tons of mistakes in them - big ones and yet I would get corrections such as having one space after a period instead of two.   Not only that, but it will only be ONE Editor and not all of them.  I tend to be agreeable and just say "okay, thanks" but I  really wonder what it is that pits a particular QA person against a particular MT.   I would be curious to hear thoughts on this subject from others. 

would you mind saying (anonymously of course) what your base pay is, how your incentive pay works, and how much you are realistically able to make?

I worked for a hospital for years, but before they had MTs working at home, and left to start my own service and get my own clients.

I am trying to decide if I want to keep my own accounts or possibly work from home for a hospital, but would like to know how much I could realistically make working for a hospital.  Of course, I know it can vary a lot but would just like to see what some of you are able to make.

I'm getting closer to retirement age and the benefits that I didnt't really need/want/care about when I was younger are looking better all the time...

What is the difference?

I started using a split keyboard years ago.  I love them.  The first one I had was PC Concepts, I believe.  When I finally wore that one out and went to get another, I couldn't find that brand.  I got Microsoft's keyboard next.  It's okay, although the #6 key is on the left, which I found to be true of all the split keyboards.  My PC Concepts KB had the #6 on the right, which made more sense to me.  I was never able to adjust to this, so I constructed a "bridge" for the #6 key.  I have never been able to find a split keyboard with the #6 on the right.  Does anyone know of one?

Also, I use my mouse too much and I'm starting to get pains.  Yea!!  So, I'm wondering, does anyone use a split keyboard with a built-in mousepad-thingy on the bottom of the keyboard?  I was thinking about trying one of these next, but I hate to spend the $ w/o getting some opinions first.  If you use one, what brand; do you like it; does it really work; any suggestions? 

Thanks!!

I sent this question to Inscribe and the answer I received from this is below it.  I'm going to upgrade and then "back up" if I have to until I can in get a pedal.  This does at least give us warning that the upgrade will be forced later on. 

Q:  I have not upgraded to 4.91 InScribe, but still use 4.3.202. I have been told that the upgrade will not allow Express Scribe?

A:  This is mixed results. I know some people are using express scribe sucessfully, but there are some issues with windows Vista and espressscribe

I believe they meanwith the new version. Also there is a USB configuration tool for footpetals built into InScribe that may work for you as well.
The only way to test it is to really just try it out. You can always uninstall the new version and download the previous version, although in the near future the new version of InScribe will be a forced update.

Does anybody know anything good or bad about this company?  I am looking for a good MT employment position, and I have been burned before (by Voice Systems--they don't pay!). 

e-MTS (Electronic Medical Transcription Services
Contact: Recruiter
2836 N. University Dr., Coral Springs, Florida 78065
jobs4mts@yahoo.com
Telephone: ., Fax: .

I was greeted at the door this morning and walked to the office. Received my sererance package and then was allowed to clean out my desk.

When one door closes, another door opens. I kinda felt like I would be in this cut, hoping I wouldn't, but felt like it.

Good thing DH tuns 65 in July. Guess I'll have to start checking out medical insurance now. 

Soooo if it's alright with you guys, I'll just hang out with you for a while.

I have an account that is Dictaphone ExText. Moving  and won't have access to DSL. Is anyone using satellite and how do you like it. Was told I could use it but might be slow. Need to know if it's worth the cost or not. Thanks

Hi all!!!  I am currently using MSWord and would like to purchase a word expander.  I have done some research, but am still not certain which one to buy.  I wish not purchase one that will drain my bank account, but do want one with the capability to have the ability to add an indefinite amount of shortcuts, etc.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!!!

With our jobs, come our problems.....very interesting article.

http://infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-616323,flstry-1.cms

be working with a company we love right now, or look quickly.  I do believe that whatever happens to our MQ friends has a lot to do with the rest of us.  There are what, 8000 to 10,000 MTs there? If something were to happen and there were a lot of resumes going out to all of the companies and hospitals out there, odds are the influx of great candidates versus the jobs would become a supply and demand issue.  This may be happening already, as there were 500 people surfing this board the last few days since the MQ platform has been suffering problems. Does anyone have this feeling too? I don't think we should panic, but I am making sure to do my job with my present employer (personally) and hold onto my job security.  If anything should happen to this giant employer, the few companies out there which are really good to their employees will have their pick of thousands, and I for one do not want to worry about my benefits and my job.  Any comments on this? Thinking it would make for interesting conversation, seeing the balance of the MT workforce does depend on what this failing giant (MQ) happens to do.

Do any of you oncology transcriptionists know of any good sites for radiation oncology terms?.  I am a seasoned oncology Transcriptionist who has a new oncology account that includes radiation oncology dictation, which I have never done before.   Help, please.

Thanks

Any MTs left that only have dialup internet available to them?  Bellsouth said we would get it in 2-3 years (big wow).  I would like to change MT companies but cannot find anyone who accepts dialup internet.  I could probably get satellite but I notice many companies won't accept this either.  What's a girl to do?

I have an Infinity foot pedal with USB port, but no software to go with it.  When I bought the thing, did not realize software was not included with the pedal as job I ordered for fell through in the interim.  I now went to use the pedal and realize there is no software to put into my computer so the foot pedal is recognized.

ANY HELP...suggestions...please.

Tiffin

The taxes/financial link takes me to the States board (?) so I hope I can post this here.

I'm considering going from FT employee status back to IC, but it's been years since I was IC and don't remember for sure what the tax rule is... and my accountant at the time didn't know something about paying estimated tax and I ended up with a penalty for not doing so... long story and won't go there... fired him!

Anyway, my question is... What amount do you pay your self-employment tax on?  For example: If an IC works for say two or three companies in a year and makes $30,000, and has $10,000 in business deductions like internet, phone, paper, postage, etc., do you pay your self-employment tax on the $30,000 gross or the $20,000 net? 

I'm trying to look at the pros and cons of giving up employee status and trying to figure out how it would pencil out paying the whole SE tax myself, private insurance, etc.  Whether the SE tax is paid on net income after deductions or gross income could be quite a chunk of change... and could change my mind about going IC.

Any info is appreciated... I am going to call my accountant tomorrow, but thought I'd ask here tonight and see if anyone knew.  Thanks!