Hi Amanda from WV (I once lived in Morgantown!). No drivers to download, has a USB optical device.
Posted By: Calif MT on 2008-04-23
In Reply to: Gee, don't know :o(. Have you installed all drivers? - Amanda
:)
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Lived in Germany for 5 years - best place I ever lived!
I found the people very warm and helpful, the food is to die for, and if you like beer (I do not, but this is what hubby tells me), it is the best in the world! The downside now is with the conversion to the euro things do seem much more expensive (was just back there to visit last Decemeber). Still, I would live there again in a heartbeat! :-)
I bought an optical mouse because I couldn't stand
the roller ball mouses. Mine would do that as well, but cleaning it would not help. I love my optical mouse!
Did the same thing just this month from the wireless optical Logitech to the trackball
I now keep my hands very much in their most natural anatomical position while rested on the keyboard and mouse (I do QA anyway). Fingers are no longer as tense as they used to be with my optical.
The Microsoft Wireless optical keyboard has greatly eased SM
The Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 keyboard (came packaged with wireless mouse at Staples), box says "standard keyboard + optical mouse) has greatly, greatly relieved symptoms on my elbows and wrists.
My elbows just stung before I got this keyboard. If I relax and kind of let it do what it wants, kind of get used to its touch, I really like it. It has greatly helped my elbow symptoms in particular.
Download Express Scribe, it's free, when you download the voice files you will listen to....
them in Express Scribe and you can set your footpedal up. I forget where the downloaded files go, can't remember if you can put them where you want them but I would have to search for them to download to Express Scribe - maybe someone else can tell you how. It is much better than what you are doing.
16 year old drivers
In our state you have to be 16-1/2 to get your license and for the first six months you cannot have anyone under 18 in your vehicle unless there is a 21 year old driver or older sitting in the front passenger seat and you also cannot drive from midnight until 5:00 a.m., as they believe 16-1/2 year old kids get in many crashes. I think this is a good law, especially with all the kids racing around, talking on the phone etc, but adults do this also. I think when they are younger they tender to lose their concentration on the road (not all but some), talking with friends, etc, so this law makes sense to me. My sons were older when they first got their license and I am glad. They both went through driver's education, but even that has changed and they want the parents to take their children out on the road more and more each year, which is a good thing if you can handle that. I could, so it was okay with me. Every one knows their child's maturity and being on the road is a scarey thing for all parents.
Gee, don't know :o(. Have you installed all drivers?
I don't have an Ativa. I wish I could help!
Texas drivers
I live in TX and have never heard of this. Have ins through AAA, just renewed last month in fact. No mention of this. Where did you get your quote?
If there is such a device, I want one to
I just had QA get me for missing "a" at the beginning of a sentence. There is a sound of humming like what you would hear under an electrical power grid, do you know what I mean? It would take superhero-type hearing to hear some things, even QA sends them to the facility.
So, where is this filter before I lose my job???
USB device
Compusa has a device that connects from poarallel to USB and we have 2 computers at home and they work great. It is called Belkin.
You're welcome. Most sites will have the drivers
available for download, whether it is a printer or digital camera. Sometimes it takes a bit of looking to find it though.
You might want to try a device called
an EQ-50. I bought mine from Martel, and then discovered they could be bought elsewhere for less. It is an equalizer, and also boosts the sound a bit. It is connected to your headphones, and can be used with either a transcriber for tapes or connected to the computer for digital files.
I posted regarding this item a while back, and a couple of people posted that they bought this and did not like it. I am EXTREMELY pleased with mine. I rarely have to send blanks to QA anymore. Someone mentioned a noise they were hearing when they tried to use it, and with mine I do hear a sound like that which you hear coming from stereo speakers when the stereo is on but no music is playing. Also, I have gotten interference from other electronic equipment before, but easily solved that by simply moving the EQ-50 a little bit. I believe that I paid around $30-35 for mine, and then Googled and found them for maybe about $18.
I cannot live without mine at this point, and plan to order a back-up just in case something happens to the one I've got.
Oh, and it does require two AAA batteries also.
This little device stops
stuttering. Wouldn't it be great if docs who stutter when dictating would use it? It helps 80% of people who try it!
See link below:
Handheld Device
My doctors switched over to the Olympus WS 110 digital recorder. It's fantastic and reasonably priced.
I won't let my kids ride with inexperienced drivers.
On the other hand, my sister just let her daughter drive a 300 mile round trip with friends and no parental supervision. My niece has had her license for less than 4 months and is only 15 years old. The parent is trying to be the "friend" instead of enforcing rules.
FWIW, the only car accident I was involved in was with a girl who only had her license for three days. She didn't use turn signals or her brakes, just geared down and decided to stop on a 55 mph two-lane right in front of me with oncoming traffic.
Where I live, lots of nonlicensed drivers
in this state, heard 1 out of 10 this morning and if and until I hear a big part are actually legal and licensed, am not worrying this "pretty head" as my mother used to put it. I am really not as worried about his as I would be with this type of work UNLESS I were a lot younger and having to have a really good income. I have my time in, he is younger and still has his time to work but not worried about his job. It is one of the bigger companies on our roads and I think if legal and GOOD driving record, anyone else could hire on. Our jobs are the ones that we know are going elsewhere....
Well it said there are no drivers or anything else and I have no idea about loading a driver.
It works fine in DQS so I dont know about this. I guess I will just forget the job because it is a very long test and to do it with key controls is horrible.
Texas drivers ~ insurance by the mile....
Have any of you heard of this? It is auto insurance charged by the miles driven. I got a quote online for myself and it is very reasonable for me but not for the 17-yo.
https://milemeter.com/faq/other
Some sort of heater device
I read about a device you can buy for the deep cystic-type acne. I believe the machine was about $200, but it is supposed to be a miracle cure for treating deep cystic acne. The drawback would be that the device has to be held on each cyst for a couple of minutes I believe, so hundreds of cysts like you describe would take a long, long time to treat. I would ask the dermatologist if he thought finasteride would have any effect. That drug shuts down the part of testosterone that causes male pattern baldness. Maybe it would have an effect on acne, too. I think I'll research that for you.
I use a Turtle Beach device.
It plugs into the back of the computer and enhances the volume as well as the quality of sound. But I needed to get an extender from Radio Shack since it plugs in the back (but if you have any USB jacks in front, that would work too).
http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/micro/home.aspx
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-8-ft-computer-speaker-cable-1-8-jack-to-1--pi-2102967.html
testing a nifty little device (sm)
called Magicjack.com. It's $39.99 (device included) and a year of unlimited long-distance, VOIP. You plug it into your USB port, but must have high-speed Internet. Check it out, it may be beneficial for you.
I just checked on HP website, and it says all drivers/software is up-to-date.
.
They must be talking about the handheld computer device (sm)
they use in some hospitals to keep track of vitals, meds and patient information.
I know of one hospital that uses this and it is used in rehab. They don't need transcriptionists at all. 
Has anyone used an external Sound Blaster device?
I'm not sure what the name of it is, but you connect to it via USB. It costs $50.00 and says the sound quality is significantly better than standard sound cards, you can transfer cassettes and LPs to MP3 files, .... My main concern is I want an increase in sound quality of my wav files.
Just wondering if the sound quality is really that much better. I have notebook computers and the PC cards are $100.00. I was thinking this might be a substitute for the PC card.
Maybe you need it listed in a different port or as a different device? Any place to check the
s
prepuse - skin covering genitals/papoose - carrying device for babies - nm
x
You are right Amanda (sm)
It can be very difficult to work at home with children. I hear this a.m. "all you do is work, work, work, Mom". But, when we are doing other activities such as swimming at the community pool all afternoon in the summertime, I don't hear her say "All we do is swim, swim, swim, Mom". Kids will be kids. When you are working, you feel you should dedicate your time to your children. When you are dedicating your time to your children, you feel you should be working. I am fortunate in that I have chosen positions where I do not have to sit in front of the PC all day to meet a line count. In my personal opinion, that would make me crazy. I like the flexibility. However, working on-site, you must still have to ask to leave if you child is sick or you need time off, so... lesser of two evils? 
I must be the 3rd Amanda
I haven't responded to this thread and there are already 2 Amandas?!
Amanda,
I could have written that post myself today and I have been doing this for 23 years!!! There are some days I can produce a lot and other days where I STILL have to look everything up. What specialty are you in? Some are a lot more difficult than others. Maybe finding the right specialty for you is the key. It does take a long time to get all that information in your head. Some terminology is easy because you hear it every day. Other terminology is more difficult because it is seldom used. Stick to it. My kids grew up with me doing this at home and they still say they loved having me here when their friends' mothers had to go to an office.
Thanks Amanda
Amanda, thank you for your kind words. I would type on my head if that is what my client told me to do. I have been on this account from the beginning, and I have not heard from QA in probably 2 years. Like I posted before, we have always been instructed to type "the patient." This is highlighted in my account instructions. Jane Doe was just a random name I used here, thought that would just be understood. There were other things wrong, but I really do not feel it is worth going into here to just be told what a crappy MT I am. I have addressed my issues with QA but have yet to hear back from them.
Are you the same Amanda?
Are you the same Amanda MT who types over 400 lines per hour?
Hi, Amanda
Ok, Amanda, I am sorry, but the last 2 years something is really wrong with this profession, outscourcing, ASR, EMR, etc....
? for Amanda
Thanks for a possible ray of hope during a frustrating time for MTs these days. There is definitely no harm in trying. I was just wondering during your experiment how much time you would spend on looking up for defi''s and such. Some times between looking in my reference bks and googling for an med,etc. 10 minutes can easily fly by. Whats your take on that.
Amanda......
Again, sorry, I feel with you,
My point is:
Can we keep up with all those changes, pushing ourselves harder and harder. It is so sad seeing so qualified and excellent MTs having to give up a job in which they are so efficient, having to resort to little tricks to compete with the new technology.
MTs who have been in this business for 20-30 years taking tests and being rejected. I read this on this board. So sad.
That's what I mean.
Thanks to Amanda
Thank you Amanda for posting this. I, too, have found this to be true. It is one of the traps of working at home. I forget that I am still supposed to be working and get distracted by the things going on around me. then I would wonder why I wasn't earning as much. simple answer: I wasn't working as much. Once I eliminated all the extraneous activities I did during my "work" hours, my income rebounded. Those posters who are criticizing you here are the ones who think they are entitled to do personal things on "company" time.
From the other post I quote
"No talking, no emails, no telephone, no nothing? When do you eat and pee?
Don't you have a husband or children, who want to interact with you? What's the advantage of working at home, if you work like this? This is a 'sweatshop', what a life! No, thanks"
Okay, I would like to understand this. Is this person working or not. If you are working, then work. If you are talking, emailing, eating, interacting with your husband and children, then don't expect to be earning much! Those are choices you are entitled to make but you are also responsible for the consequences. We would all like to get a check every week for spending time with our families and friends but it isn't going to happen.
For me, the advantages of working from home are many and include the fact that I don't have to drive anywhere. I don't need a wardrobe. I don't get caught up in the office politics. I don't have to eat the donuts every Friday morning!!! I set my own hours. And many, many others.
Again, Amanda, your post is a breath of fresh air on this predominantly negative board. I am glad I still like my wok!!!
Thank you, Amanda
I applaud this sentence in your comment:
' I am going to college to get into another profession and be done with all of this.'
And for THIS I say 'Thank you, Amanda!' . For being so courageous and honest. 
Thank you, Amanda
I applaud this sentence in your last comment:
' I am going to college to get into another profession and be done with all of this.'
And for THIS I say 'Thank you, Amanda!' . For being so courageous and honest.
Thanks Amanda!
I was just thinking of doing this same thing myself but have forgotten to pick up a timer. I just added it to my grocery list. I get distracted a lot too and end up not being as productive as I could be. I've complained alot about this job but taking a step back I have realized I am not working smart because I have been mad because I'm not making the amount per line I was making 10 years ago. I like working at home, I like taking off when I feel like it or going on vacation for 2 weeks at a time without someone telling me I can't so I'm going to try to make the best of it. Thanks again.
Amanda
 I appreciate your challenge!!!!! I think you were very kind to post this and I personally am taking it to heart. You did nothing in malice at all. You just posted a challenge and a suggestion. I am not a new MT. I have been transcribing for 20 years. The first 5 years in acute care, then 14 years of psychiatric/psychology, and now another year of acute care. The change from psych back to acute care you can imagine has been challenging. I am doing whatever I can to get my production up. I had never used Expanders other than my autocorrect. I am now doing this and it has helped tremendously, and in that frame of mind, I accept "your excellent challenge" as you so kindly suggested. I find myself being distracted a lot, and I am sure when I take this challenge I will see this.
I love being an at-home transcriptionist. This profession has been wonderful to me and my family. I raised two children being an at-home Transcriptionist and never took time away from them in doing so. I would get up and work an hour before I had to get them up and ready for school, get them up and off, and then work while they were in school, throwing in a load of laundry here and there "on my breaks", etc. When they got home from school I was done and spent time with them. In the summer, I changed shifts and worked nights while they slept. You tell me what other profession gives you that type of flexibility. None!
Yes, things have changed for us as MTs, but as a working mother and wife, I find that it is still the best. This being said, I also just plain love it. I find it challenging, mind-stimulating, and I am always challenging myself to do better, which to me makes it a FUN profession as well.
Again, Amanda thank you for your post. I am one MT who is going to take this challenge to see where I can IMPROVE myself. We will never arrive to our potential if we do not challenge ourselves. The challenge is on!!! THANKS!
Amanda, you sound like you
know how to make a buck stretch, and I congratulate you! Most of my life, especially when young, I was always making my dollar stretch as far as it would go. I was a young working divorced mother of two, having to KNOW how to live on a song and a prayer. Nobody can do it for you. I am probably quite a bit older than you, probably old enough to be your mother, and I have noticed that a lot of young women today just don't know how to make good suppers from nothing, I mean without the best of cuts of meat, without all of the amenities, and how to make it taste fit for a king. Been there, done that. As far as ice cream, candy, and sweets, that was far and inbetween, mostly saved for the Holidays. My kids didn't even care for candy and sweets, really. They would have rather had green peppers, carrots and fruit, and to this day, they still don't eat a lot of junk food. They have healthy teeth and strong bones it didn't hurt them in the least not to have all the junk that kids get nowadays, and way better off. Don't mean to offend anyone but just use common sense. If you only have X amount of dollars, and that includes more than the other way around, then you have to do without some things, and it won't kill you! Well my 2 cents for what it's worth...
Good for you, Amanda! sm
Are you going to take the CMT when you are able, Ms. RMT? 
Question for Amanda
Amanda--low long would I have to live in Georgia in order to take advantage of this great program?
I really LIKE this, Amanda, thanks for sharing
I did this a few years back and it did help so am trying it again - great tip
Okay, I took your challenge, Amanda. SM
ME: Below-average typing talent. Sad but true. I'm a clutz. Use an expander, though.
I'm paid good but not top-level industry rates.
I work 35 hours per week, not 40.
So-so account, lots of ESL, mixed transcription and editing.
CHALLENGE: Worked in my usual manner for two hours of average work flow, i.e., not fast or slow. One coffee-refill break.
RESULTS: 291 lines per hour X my pay plus incentive = $32/hour = $56K/year for a 35/hour week.
IF I worked 40 hrs/wk, that would be $64K, but I prefer not to. Like you, I do prefer to work fairly intensively while I am working as a tradeoff to a shorter workday.
Good post, Amanda! Back to work now.
Amanda's Challenge
Until two days ago, I had several accounts. One of those accounts I used to smile and call "butta." (As in butter). I've been an MT for close to 30 yrs, Amanda, and this account that was taken away from me had tons of challenging ORs, not colonoscopies, etc. I made great line count--now I have an account that is populated by physicians who don't organize their thoughts before they start dictating, open their mouths and spew absolute nonsense (and the patient's safety is OUR responsibility-HAH). One doc in particular says each sentence at least three times and changes each version subtly (on a verbatim account, yet), leaves sentences dangling, hops all over the place and in general is a pain in the butt. You know, Amanda, I challenge myself every working day and with this latest smack in the head by my employer, I'm thinking of asking my doctor for antidepressants. You're a Republican, Amanda, and you have to act like this general mistreatment of MTs over the last five or so years is our own fault. Sorry, honey, the Obama sign stays on my front lawn.
Are you the eTransPlus Amanda?
What happened?
Download antikeylogger from download.com.
I haven't tried it yet, but it's got good reviews and a 10-use trial.
http://www.download.com/Anti-keylogger/3000-8022_4-10418982.html?tag=lst-0-9
Thank you Amanda, what a boost you made for me.
nm
Yeah, like Amanda said, mine works on ...
COM1, 3 pedal, but you could try what she tried too - VEC, 3 pedal. I just tried all until I found one that worked.
I call for Amanda's head on a platter!
 Just kidding! Geez, people! Amanda tries a little experiment and shares who results with his and people start jumping on her like a pack of lions on a zebra (okay, I watch too much animal planet).
She makes a very valid point and obviously has hit very close to home for a lot of MTs judging by the tone of the posts below. Be honest, people! None of produce near where we would be producing if we were in the office. In the office, there are no husbands bothering us every five minutes, no kids wanting mommy to do something they are capable of doing themselves, no phone calls from mom or sis to fill us in on the latest gossip.
All Amanda is alluding to is we should all take a little responsibility for our careers and our paycheck. What's wrong with that? Sure, sometimes the deck is stacked against us and we aren't being paid what we are worth and the dictators mostly suck. But a lot of the time, we get interrupted, piddle on the internet, and I myself will get distracted in a good game of Solitaire!
So instead of jumping all over Amanda, take a good long look in the mirror and just accept a little, tiny bit of responsibility for your paltry paycheck.
Okay, Amanda, you've made your point..sm
How about giving it a break and get on something else? Other would like to be heard, too!
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