I switched to Dvorak quite a while ago. My recommendation
Posted By: JS on 2008-04-19
In Reply to: Dvorak typing - Simplyme
would be to attempt the switch when you are not working. I quit qwerty cold turkey, and it took about 1-1/2 to 2 weeks for me to get up to speed on Dvorak. It probably would have taken less, but I had to take a lot of timeouts to keep myself from chucking my computer out the window. It was incredibly frustrating to say the least, but I am glad I did it.
All I did was switch my keyboard driver over and print out the Dvorak layout to post beside my monitor. I didn't get stickers or anything. I do have an ergo Dvorak keyboard now though.
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- Dvorak typing - Simplyme
- I switched to Dvorak quite a while ago. My recommendation - JS
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Dvorak anyone?
I'm curious if anyone uses Dvorak. I saw an article about it today (maybe Yahoo news). If it would help the tension on the fingers and carpal tunnel issues I would be willing to try it.
Do you use the dvorak? sm
My brother is a computer engineer and has been trying to get me to learn to do this. He says it will save me time in the longrun. I just can't seem to find the time to slow down to be able to learn this. Do you use it? How long did it take you to adjust to it?
Dvorak...
I have been reading that this is up to 1/3 faster than QWERTY and that it only takes about 2 weeks to adjust to it. I'm going for it. Will keep you updated.
only Dvorak I know is Anton...a very...nm
Does anyone know if Dvorak works with DQS? Thanks. nm
Dvorak typing
Hello fellow MTs :)
I was wondering how many of you use the Dvorak method of typing? I have been contemplating doing this for a while now. I just don't know how easy the transition would be trying to work 40 hours a week doing the regular Qwerty way and then trying to learn the Dvorak method. I'd love to do this, as I understand it is much, much faster and I can definitely use all the help I can get in that respect. I type 80 words per minute, but I find I get finger twisted often.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! :)
POLL: DOES ANYONE USE THE DVORAK KEYBOARD
I use the dvorak keyboard for typing. The keys are in different places from the 'querty' keyboard. All the most used keys are on the home row. This requires about 10 times less hand movement. However, it makes you look like an idiot when you try to hunt and peck on someone else's querty keyboard!!
RE: Dvorak keyboard layout
If someone could tell me how to change my keyboard settings, I would appreciate it. I went under control panel and opened up the keyboard icon, but it does not have a section on settings. It has properties, but nothing under that to change any type of settings. Thanks!
She's talking about the Dvorak keyboard
You can find it on Google with very little effort.
dvorak layout - advice pls
I've been researching the Dvorak keyboard layout and the benefits of using it. However, I'm afraid that I will just end up confusing myself. Does anyone have experience with this type of layout? Apparently it is MUCH faster once you get the hang of it (Guinness World Record speed typist uses it)...less wear and tear, typing injuries, etc....it just seems scary to be switching to the unconventional method, I guess. Also, do you guys think it would be beneficial as an MT, since we use expanders, etc?? Input is greatly appreciated!!
Anyone use DVORAK keyboard layout? NM
nM.
My recommendation
It sounds like maybe you need a little boost of confidence technically. Your local community college, library, etc., will offer basic computer courses.
My recommendation - sm
J.K Lasser's Small Business tax guide. It explains deductibles in plain English and gives you all the details on how you are or are not eligible for the deduction etc. I have used it many times over and have found many deductions I didn't know about. I also have the 1001 deductions and tax breaks for personal deductions....very nice. (As an IC I end up paying less than i would as an employee after deductions)
Recommendation
I would highly recommend not going with book form but to the electronic form. It is so much better and so time saving. I use Quick-Look Electronic. You can order it on Stedman's site or you might try E-Bay.
passing along a recommendation
My husband learned from an associate of a program called Ewido, that is supposed to beat the pants off all other spyware products. I tried it against others on my system: Spy Sweeper, Spy Bot, and Spy Blaster. Ran all three first and then put Ewido through the paces. Ewido still found 7 more infected areas before it removed them.
You can try the product for free before you purchase it ($30). For anyone who is interested: http://www.ewido.net/en/
On-Line course recommendation
I am graduate of Career Step and I felt that the program was very good. Although, nothig can prepare you for "hearing" the words correctly. The only thing I qould tell you is to find someone that is a Transcriptionist and really listen ALOT to the dictation. As far as the job market: There are alot of jobs..... for people with alot of experience. I am working for free right now and I am about to try to get a job doing what I used to do. Dental Assisting. Either that or finish my Respiratory Therapy degree.
Good Luck to you in whatever you choose to do.
Monitor recommendation
My monitor is starting to go, and I have to replace it. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm considering a flat-screen to better maximize my limited desk space. Anyone use one?
I second that recommendation. also, no itch. nm
nm
I do have a recommendation. The Phillips comes with the ability
to download twice and I would make sure I set that up. Download to the file that will be coming to you. Then use the backup download to a file that is totally separate. I call it backupvoicefiles. I have found files in the backupvoicefiles that for some reason didn't come to me in the regular file. They would have been lost if I didn't know to check this. Phillips has no explanation for why this happens. I have been most happy with the Phillips equipment especially since I figured this part out. When the girls are looking for work that he claims that dictates and I have not transcribed, I know the approximate numbers to check and have them go into the backupvoicefile folder and check to see if it is there.
Good luck. My doctors love the Phillips better than they did the Olympus and much fewer problems. 
Canada pharmacy recommendation
I've personally used this pharmacy in Canada by mail and they have been great.
Thank you for the Koss headphone recommendation sm
I had to get another pair because think my $45 pair is dying and I can't afford another pair...and 2 new keyboards, a new mouse, a space heater, a special MT pedal and some software this month.
I was at Wally's and they had one type of Koss headphones only costing $5 and I bought them. I really like them and they are quiet. They even came with an extra pair of padded foam thingys for the ear part.
So, to all who said try them, I have and many thanks.
Does anyone have recommendation of a good treadmill? My cheap one..sm
just threw me off for the second time in about a month (the belt slips when going over 2.6 MPH). I have treadmill burns down both shins, one hand and an ugly bruise. I was not able to grab the "safety cord" in time to shut if off. I know good ones are quite expensive and have looked on Consumer Reports but would like to have personal recommendations if possible. TIA!
I recommended it and I stand by taht recommendation (sm)
The previous version (2002) still has some valuable information and the newest version, 2008, came out at the end of April/first part of May. Not sure if you can get it on amazon.com but you can get it from their publisher rayve (google it or the book title) or you might be able to find it on half.com.
I got the 2002 version on interlibrary loan from my local library, read it cover to cover TWICE and it was a wealth of information!!!! I strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking about starting out on their own. :)
Best recommendation is chooosing an AAMT/AHDI approved course
x
I briefly talked to my uncle, who is psychiatrist, about Tater. His recommendation was to take her
to a pediatric psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation and then the appropriate referrals and/or medications can be started. There has to be an indepth evaluation why Tater is the way she is. It could be that her mother was never abusive towards her, but it could be that Tater may be showing the early signs of schizophrenic disorder and what we perceive as lies to us are realities to her. At any rate, shipping the child off may not be the best answer, but to get her the adequate help. I feel for your friend, because it is not easy to deal with a "problem child" but now Tater's Daddy and your friend are legally responsible and accountable for the child.
My number 1 recommendation is the Medical Phrase Index by Lorenzini sm
and would also recommend Stedman's Abbreviations and Labs - these are all more generic since you are doing a variety. It would be best if you could eventually get Stedman's Cardio and other specialities...but I highly recommend Medical Phrase Index for newer transcriptionists - it helped me tremendously in the beginning
I saw the "per" recommendation over at MT911, emailed my QA and never heard back ... about BOS
I had all my frequencies formatted as
q. 6h.
Then noticed they were being changed to
q.6 h.
Searched my BOS and found one ... very marginal (an exampled within antother entry) citation ...
Sure -- I want to do it the right way ... if only I could know what the "right way" was ...
It would be infinitely easier if some sort of "rationale" or reason for this-not-that were given.
Whatever.
that's how I did it, that's why I switched to
employee status (one of the reasons)
When you were switched over to VR, did they - sm
continue to pay you the same amount per line, or was that lowered? If I could do more lines per day and get the same pay, that would probably be okay (if boring!), but if they cut the pay back, then you're still working just as hard, for less money.
So, did you keep your same per-line pay scale?
I know this company. They switched sm
me from employee to IC status. I was told it was 30% off for headers/footers. It certainly is a rip-off. Cardiology MT myself.
I just switched to digital and it has been a big
headache! Just got another one of those heart-stopping calls .... um, the dictaphone isn't showing the dictation ... Yikes, where is it then!?! LOL
I'd still be doing tapes -- they are easy and no headaches like digital has been so far -- but for the past 12 years I've been driving three hours three days a week to pick up my clients' work and it was killing me. (I moved away from my town where my docs were to marry my DH - he was worth it ;) )
As for digital, for me I'm glad it was an option, but high fives to those of you doing tapes. Ain't nothing wrong with that! Money is money and around here there's more tape than digital to be had :)
I switched 2 years ago.
It was hard going from 6-1/2 hours a day 7/7 plus every holiday to 8 hours a day, but it just meant getting used to the longer days. My start time was the same, though. As I got used to it, it did get better, and now I'm happy because I'm making the same $$ I used to plus have benefits.
You just have to find THE right company.
I switched but still learning,too
I used SH for a year. To me, it was like AutoCorrect, which I used to love, but IT does so much more. I've been using IT for about a year. There are so many things you can do with it that you can't do with SH.
As the other poster said, check out the productivity website and you will fiind zillions of ideas.
Not an MT company, but I switched
job that I had for 15+ years. You would be surprised how receptive your old position and/or company can be to the fact that "the grass really was green where you were". There is no harm at all in trying to get your old position back. It's going back with your tail between your legs, but you may be happier. If I were you, I'd give it a try.
MTs switched to billing/coding?
Curious whether there are any MTs out there, or anyone who knows info, on going into billing and coding...
I'm considering training for that in my spare time now, so that I have the opportunity later, if I decide to pursue that. Are there a fair amount of work-at-home positions in billing and coding? After my newbie days, I've never had trouble finding MT work with good companies, so I wondered if billing was as widespread, at home. I haven't found nearly as much info out there on at-home billing, other than get-rich-quick scheming. Anyone know if the pay is on a similar scale? Opportunity for PT and FT, like MT? Similarities and differences (not on the actual job, but work issues like benefits, flexibility, etc.)
Thanks for any help!
Were you baited with one account and switched to another?
I worked on account and there was never anyone on line to IM for problems with my account and then there are so many chiefs in that organization and really the chiefs are pretty useless if they aren't around to help out. I was very disappointed with the company. The software was filled with glitches too and instead of instant help, you had to wait for sometimes days until someone could help you.
yes, i have asked to be switched to other accts
and they have accommodated me. With a previous office, they drug their feet awhile (needing to get other coverage)...but yes, ask!
I started with a second company once that also used DQS. Their tech support was able to give me instructions to retrieve all my shortcuts from my main job and put them into my files with company-B. No problem.
98-99% of the time my offices have worked with me very well -- don't hesitate to communicate your frustrations/needs and see if they won't work with you. Good luck.
actually i was in your shoes and I switched jobs. sm
I am a single mother and was not at all happy about where I was and no I didnt come on here and complain about it. Yes I did find another job, had to do without insurance for about a month, and glad I made the switch. I even accepted the job at the very same pay.
I think you are just scared to take that leap. i do have compassion, but when you arent happy about something, you should try to do something.
Whether it is to go to the proper channels with MQ and complain to them or find another job. It isnt doing anyone any good to come here. Nothing will change.
That is all I am saying.
It just gets everyone in an uproar and solves nothing.
You and only you have control over your life as I do mine.
I have one. I switched back to regular but still have the old one.
email me if you need it.
Has anyone switched to Verizon isp for faster
I have dial up and that is all I can get. Has anyone switched to Verizon and gotten a faster dial up speed than the ISP they had before switching?
How can I get a faster speed on dial up?
MT NEEDS HELP
We just switched from Dish to Directv - sm
Dish is slightly cheaper, but we switched for the following reasons; Dish took away our FOX NY channel in November because of some law passed in congress recently (we watch Nascar) which we were paying extra for (we are in VA), we cannot get local channels with Dish unless we upgraded dishs and cut down about 5 trees. I thought it was insane to spend $400+ in order to be able to get local channels. We had them out here a couple years ago to evaluate the tree situation, that was their answer. So we have just been without the locals as they do not come in very well with the antenna. So all our neighbors here have Directv without any problems or cutting down trees, and all with the local channels ($4.99 a month). We have FOX again (local though, DH liked having NY FOX because of the football games). I also did the additional room box, another $4.99 a month which we had not done since living in MD, and it is a nice benefit to have with the kids, DH can watch his football and if a show is on that the kids wanted to watch they can without a bunch of fuss. That doesn't happen too often but it is nice to have that option. I am receiving a $5 rebate for switching right now, plus will be getting an additional $10 off for 10 months once my rebate kicks in, so right now it is $56 a month, but that will jump to $61 when all is said and done. We have the basic pkg and HBO. I liked the guide and ability to scroll the channels better with Dish. But the Directv remote seems much sturdier (plus they replace them free of charge), with Dish we had to pay for any replacements at $70 a pop, we went through a remote every 2 years or so, the last time I said forget this and bought a universal remote for $10, still works great. If trees are not an issue with you then either will work fine, Dish is slighty cheaper but you own the equipment, you buy it. They just lost another channel of mine though that was one of my favories, Court TV, Directv has it though so I am happy. Directv you lease the equipment, hence the free replacements. I think if you only get 1 unit then there is no charge, but with 2 units then it is $5 a month plus the free replacements, etc. We bought our Dish Network dish for $400 with a rebate, so I think we paid $100 for it in the end, have no idea how they do it now though. Happy hunting!
We just switched to DSL from cable, and it's GREAT! SM
We had continuous problems with cable dropping and absolutely no satisfaction from talking to "customer service" (and I use that term loosely). So one day, when the cable was out again, we called BellSouth and changed out to DSL and moved to Direct TV for our television.
Let me just say: WOW! Same speed with no drops. Love DSL. We'll never go back to cable.
I just switched to nights and found I like it alot.
I get a nicer variety of reports so I don't get bored. I keep the tv on behind me but don't watch it. No interruptions, no phone, no kids or hubby, although my kids are all out of high school. They still tend to interrupt. The dogs are sleeping so I don't have to let them out. I do open a window for some of that gorgeous night air. I only need about 6-7 hours of sleep, so I hit the hay when I am done and sleep for around 4 hours, get up and do a few things, then conk out again for 2-3 hours later. It seems to be working out.
When I switched to DQS from my old platform I honestly cant remember the name of it I took a rather
large drop in lines on the same account as did many others and yes people did quit because of it. Same accounts for years and definitely reduced my lines on DQS from the old platform as I said and never did make them up 2 years later. Have no clue what is going on. Actually I think the name of the platform was MT Shell.
I recently switched to DSL and now my Winfax Pro will not work. Has anyone else had
this problem and what do you use now to accept faxes through your computer??? Thanks.
I just switched to unlimited business plan
in order to get their LD plan, I had to get their Complete Choice business phone line. Since I already had Ultra DSL internet, with all of these bundled, the cost is $140 a month (phone, unlimited LD and 2 DSL connectors). When I compared it to my residential plan with my 2 DSL connections, it was only $57 a month more so I felt it was a good deal.
If you are on your dictation system 40 hours a week for 4 weeks per month, that is 9600 minutes a month at $57 and average $0.005 per minute, much better than a phone card and no getting in trouble with your residential unlimited LD plan (they will flag you when you hit 5000 minutes a month).
I switched from Shorthand to Instant Text.. sm
and love my Instant Text! It is much smarter than I am though and I am still learning, but it has features that ShortHand did not. The support staff is great and the Productivity Board is also very helpful. There is a lot of information there and if you have not visited it, I would suggest you check it out as there are Shorthand and IT users there. It is www.productivitytalk.com.
I am doing the same thing. I recently switched to working when
most people are not there. I am working Friday to Tuesday and there will be lots of work, since I have several accounts and nobody seems to be steadily working those hours. I agree about working nights too. I will do that when the kids are here. That is the only way I believe my line counts will increase to the level you have attained. I struggle for work weekdays and during the day and could not get more than 1,000 a day. I think I will be able to use the strategy you are. Plus I can focus better when it is quiet. I also don't surf the net, or do anything. Just take an hourly break to stretch. Thanks for your help and answers, and poll too!
If you have not switched over to the new website for MQ updates call 800 dictate and get that done
and you will find that news on there.
I worked on INET prior to DQS on the same account which was switched to DQS.
You absolutely w/o question need DSL or cable to work on DQS. The searches and the downloads take FOREVER with dial up on DQS.
I lost money on line count on DQS. Same account different line counts per hour. Lots of people have had the same loss. No one, but no one has increased line count on DQS from INET.
I guess it depends on which office you get switched to now doesnt it.
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