Laptops and Satellite/Wireless Internet
Posted By: Stephanie on 2007-04-18
In Reply to:
Does anybody work off a laptop and have a wireless or satellite internet connection? Just wondering because we'd like to do some traveling and it would be nice to be able to work also and not have to use so much PTO time, etc?
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Satellite Internet Access - wireless?
Where are you located? I'm in rural Iowa, about halfway between Des Moines and Omaha. We are on a hill with no trees around, but there are higher hills around us, and we can only occasionally get cell phone signal. No line-of-sight for the cell towers around here. I don't really know much about wireless, though, but I'm not even sure I can get it here. I don't even know what to look for, I guess. Can you or someone else clue me in?
All internet-based accounts & laptops...sm
Excuse me for being so dense about this, but what kind of laptop and internet connection do you all get that enables you to work outdoors or on the road? Can this work for anybody on any internet-based account? Do you just plug your foot pedal in your laptop, hook up to internet (but how do you connect to the internet when you are outside or camping?) and go to work. If someone could explain this to me in detail, I would very much appreciate it. TIA
Wireless or Satellite
I have a Novatel wireless card through Sprint which has a USB port and allows me to work from either my desktop or my laptop. I have GREAT connectivity and for unlimited I pay $60 a month and tax
wireless vs satellite sm
Okay I have a dumb question I hope someone can answer. I understand wireless is from cell towers, correct? Satellite is from a satellite in space, correct? So why do some MTSOs accept wireless, but not satellite? Obviously there is a distance factor.  I just don't understand why I'm told some platforms will work with wireless, but not satellite. 
Satellite/wireless/transcription?
I really want to be a traveling Transcriptionist for the next couple of years, living mostly out of hotels, due to hubby's possible new job assignment. Anybody heard of doing this productively. Can you give me some pointers on where the begin? I know a lap top is probably first, right?
Please help ASAP!!
Thanks in advance!
SATELLITE and/or WIRELESS users
Help! I want to move to the country where apparently DSL is about as rare as an honest politician... with slighltly better luck with cable.
I'm reading here from time to time (jobs) that "satellite won't work). Anyone know why? Is it the reliability of signal or something? Because it shouldn't be a speed issue.
Also, what about wireless? Anyone with success stories about using either of these modalities?
Thanks for your help
Forgot satellite and get wireless USB. sm
I used Wildblue previously and I absolutely HATED it, still do as I am still getting bills and argued to no avail. Contract was 1 year, which I did carry out and they are charging me for default on the contract. Signals were always iffy, especially with any kind of wind or rain and I had no trees or anything to block signal; on top of a hill actually so should have been better. Multiple times in that year I was without service for almost a week at a time. Tech support was hilarious. Had to replace the "eye" of the satellite myself at the cost of $350 by the end of that 1-year contract, days after the warranty went out. It really didn't "seem" that much faster than dial up to be worth the expense. I now have USB wireless with AT&T (most popular in my area) and it is HEAVEN compared to Wildblue. Have had it for 3 months now and have not lost signal NOT ONE TIME and we have had some horrible thunderstorms and bad weather all which it worked perfectly through. I am very, very rural with only 2 houses on my street period. It was also cheaper to get started with AT&T than it was with Wildblue for startup cost. USB aircard thingy was like $179 and then my monthly bill is $60 plus taxes. With Wildblue it cost me almost $500 by the time I bought the equipment, paid for installation and 1st month service. I also checked a lot into HughesNet and if I had to go that route again, I would go with them rather than Wildblue.
Satellite Internet
Yes, I do successfully work using satellite internet. I don't have the option of DSL or cable where I live so satellite was my only option if I wanted/needed high-speed internet. I have HughesNet and have had no problems with them at all so far.
Satellite internet and VPN
Is there anyone out there who has Satellite internet and is doing transcription work? I just finished my training and am searching for a job. Testing is going well, but I am being told by companies who use a VPN that it cannot be used with satellite. My research is telling me that they can be used together, just that it will be slower. Does anyone have any info on this? Also, I assume there are companies that don't use a VPN so it wouldn't be a problem. Is there any way I could weed out companies that use one before I test with them?
satellite internet
Does anyone here use satellite internet for MT? How is your connection speed? Does it download/upload quickly like high-speed internet? How much do you pay and through what service?
Lots of questions! Thanks!
SATELLITE INTERNET
Satellite has dead spots if there is a storm or heavy snowfall sometimes, just like OnStar in your car or your cell phone can't find a cell. When it snows here we can't even watch TV because we have DishNet and all we get is nothing until the weather improves.
satellite internet
Are there any transcription companies that will work with satellite internet?
I have satellite internet
As long as the only requirement is high-speed internet, I dont' see that there should be a problem. Sometimes you'll see that they say no satellite, probably because they work on an internet platform and satellite can sometimes be unreliable. Also check to see what thier method of sending and receiving dictation is - if it's through an FTP site, you're okay. I have found that the satellite takes a little longer with downloading and uploading, but still works just as good as cable or others. Good luck to you!
Satellite internet
I have satellite too. I work for SoftScript and it works great....never have to weight for downloads. My satellite has only gone out once and that was with 4 inches of snow, brushed it off with a broom and I was back in business! I used to work for Spheris and was able to work with my satellite. I do, however, pay quite a bit for it. I have Wildblue with the pro package. Might depend on which satellite you have. I am like you, I live in the sticks and I cannot even get cell service but don't give up....there are companies who hire people with satellite....GOOD LUCK!
Satellite Internet with VPN
Hello,
I would like to know if satellite internet is compatible with VPN, specifically with ChartScript. If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate your input.
TIA!
Satellite Internet with VPN
Hello,
I would like to know if satellite internet is compatible with VPN, specifically with ChartScript. If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate your input.
TIA!
I have used satellite internet with
a VPN in the past and it worked just fine. You just have to have a fast enough download and upload speed to be able to connect to the VPN.
Need information on Satellite Internet (sm)
I checked the archives, but seems like mostly old information. I know there have been improvements made in the last year or so. Is anyone using satellite internet in the western NC mountains? Is it reliable 24/7 or do you have down times? All information is appreciated.  TIA
anyone using or tried Wildblue satellite internet? sm
they are cheaper than directwav but i know sometimes you get what you pay for too so i am wondering if anyone out there is using it or has in the past and what you thought about it?
Satellite internet connection
I can't get DSL/fast access internet where I live and am thinking about getting a satellite connection, but it's a huge investment. If anyone has it or has had it in the past, please let me know what you think and how it works for you. Thanks a bunch!
Companies and satellite internet
I may be searching for a new company in the near future and was wondering if anyone knows of a way to find out which companies have systems that work with satellite, if there is any sort of list. I know there used to be a site that listed companies and info about them like how much experience they were looking for and what the application procedure was. I can't seem to find it anymore.
Satellite Internet Access
I am currently living in rural Iowa, and my only options for Internet access right now are dial-up (can you say S-L-O-W ?) and satellite. I know I can get HughesNet and WildBlue. My questions are:
1. Are there any other providers I may have missed?
2. Anyone have experience with HughesNet or WildBlue or any other satellite access for MT work?
I have to make a decision on this within the next week or two, so any help would be much appreciated.
Wii and wireless internet
We got a Wii for Christmas, and it seems to be interfering with my wireless Internet. No one can play Wii while I'm working until I get this figured out. I've googled this a little bit to try and figure out what the problem is, but I'm not really finding an answer thus far. I've checked the Internet connections on the Wii, and it shows 'none' for all 3 choices, so it doesn't even seem to be connected to the Internet, but it still interferes. I can't do anything at all if the Wii is being played or is on. Anyone have any experience with this or know how to fix it?
Wild Blue satellite internet
Anybody currently using Wild Blue satellite internet? Any responses good or bad would be greatly appreciated.
Am I the only one having problems with satellite internet coonection?
I could not work yesterday because of this (initially, I was told that I have exceeded the alloted 400 MB per 4 hours of downloads (my DH had been downloading ISO DVD software for Linux), so my system status was "degraded" and had to wait for 8-12 hours for it to come back to normal. So I waited. When I tried to use the internet after that period, I still could not use the net, so I called the tech support. Got it working for maybe about 3 hours. Then it had problems again. Called tech support again (this time my hubby called, because he just most recently downloaded about 100 MB of software in those past hours and could not believe to be subjected again to the waiting period, and also wanted to verify that it was not his fault that I COULD NOT USE THE INTERNET AND WORK because of his downloads. Got it working again, and I was just too sleepy to work anyway. I had hoped to be able to work seamlessly this morning.
I woke up at 4:30. Had system status "degraded" again. I did the power-cycling, and got it working again...then lost it again after having downloaded the first file...so I called the tech support again (the 5th time in 24 hours). Got it working again from 6 am to 8 am. I did the power-cycling again, got it running again now...and here I am venting, wondering how my work will go through the rest of the day!
It is so f****** disappointing that we have just recently upgraded to the DW7000 Professional!
Searching for Internet satellite service
This company looks they offer good service in our area according to their add but I have never heard of them before. Any news would be appreciated.
Wireless internet connection was being
advertised on T.V. last night. It showed a man using his lap top in a room saying that he was connected to the internet wirelessly. This sounds like the way to go for me who needs a vacation but can't afford to take one. Has anyone investigated this?
Does satellite internet work to type into Meditech?
I can't get cable or DSL, and wonder if satellite will work.
I have to go satellite internet also, but have found no companies that will help with that expense..
I have found plenty that will hire with dial up or satellite, but I cant find a company willing to help with the expense. We spent $600 up front for our satellite system and then $59 a month! It is definitely worth the expense...especially since it would take me 1/2 day just to load my work on dial up before I could even start on it. At least now I am loading and working at a high rate of speed! Good Luck and Happy New Year!
Does anyone know why some companies won't hire you if you have satellite internet service? TIA
x
Assuming you are talking about wireless internet. nm
nm.
I hate wireless internet. I live in an apartment and
trying to get it to stay connected it almost impossible.
I've got a stupid question about wireless internet providers. SM
Simply put, I want a PCI card that I can insert into my laptop while I'm at the pool that will allow me to connect to the internet and work. I have a PCI card that I use, but can only connect through my own wireless network at home. I want to know if there are services that provide such a service and how much am I looking at spending. Basically, I want to take my kids to the pool and work while I'm there, but I'm too far away from the home network to connect and there were no other available networks in range of the pool. I tried!
Thanks!
Would definitely not go satellite. Most use DSL or cable, some with reimburse partial $$, satellite
x
Transcend, although they said my satellite was too slow, they do allow satellite with some accts. nm
nm
Internet based transcription - need advice on how to go internet
Can anyone offer any help/advice on how go about becoming internet based from a call in system, or how to keep the call in system for the docs and put transcriptionists on the internet? Not sure where to start to get information on how to go about doing this. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
If you want to work on the internet from home, take an internet course
But only from Andrews School or M-TEC. Many companies will waive the 2-years' experience requirement and will test and hire you if you go to either of those schools. Do NOT bother with At Home Professions, Penn Foster, US Career Institute, or ESPECIALLY Trans-Am, which is also known as Trans-SCAM and is a total ripoff. You will have a VERY difficult time getting hired without experience unless you choose Andrews School or M-TEC. Yes, they cost more, but that's because they are excellent training programs, not "correspondence courses."
Laptops sm
I would appreciate knowing how much memory the laptop needs, as mine is pretty slow. My desktop has more than enough, so could I plug my laptop into the tower of my desktop? Sounds crazy, but I would not have to move the monitor, just the tower case if I'm going to be at another location, that in itself would be so very helpful. Is this possible? Have USB ports available on both. Also (dumb question) do you use a footpedal or function keys?
for those of you using laptops
I've been looking into getting one for my son who's going off to college - which ones do you use and are happy/not happy with? Thanks!
Laptops
Do any of you work on a laptop and how do you like it? Which one do you have? What do you consider the pros and cons? Thanks
laptops
We bought our son a Toshiba, satellite series laptop 3 years ago and it is a good one, added memory to it also, hope our luck continues with it.
Laptops
A laptop will work FINE with ANY platform including Dictaphone ExText -- I have had mine since 2006 and it is an HP and I run XP Pro on it with Word 2000 -- I also purchased a four hub USB port to plug into my bottom USB port and have four available ports for my other devices -- I also run a Sprint USB card on my laptop and have NO problems whatsoever -- also, for you people that want to know about "wireless" -- if you DONT have a wireless network setup at home be it a laptop or desktop it WILL NOT work!!!! If you have a neighbor that has a wireless network, if it is a private network, you wont be able to access it -- people want the convenience of a laptop and "thinking they can work outside" -- think about battery life etc -- my laptop is plugged in just like a desktop would be and NEVER outside -- also, being outside half the time you cannot see the screen -- wireless keyboard and mouse as well for comfort and footpedal to work with -- think about you "home setup" before buying a laptop cause it may be more headache than it is worth
laptops
I use my laptop and my cell phone as internet connection. I do not use the card slot for the PC but am Bluetooth directly to connection with internet.. I have used my laptop while in the car, hubby driving, of course. It is really great. I use an external keyboard so that does slow me down in the car when i use the keyboard from the laptop but if I need to begin my weekend early I can and travel for the last few hours of my shift
Laptops
Laptops now have just as much memory, hard drive size, and use the same CPUs as desktop or tower computer systems.
Also, the Acer (or other brand) you get from Walmart is identical to the one you'll buy from an electronics store...and you'll pay more.
The only reason I'd go to an electronics store is if I needed something installed on the system, like additional memory or a different operating system than the one that comes "standard" (Vista Home Premium for Acers and many others now) or something like that. And, even if I needed something like that I probably would just order it with whatever "customizations" I needed directly from the company over the Internet.
Advantage of Laptops?
Another poster asked how many MTs use laptops, and that got me wondering what the advantage to a laptop would be. I understand traveling, but it sounds like some use it for home.
I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm trying to figure out how I can transcribe outside on the back deck with a C-phone and computer (I live in a rural area). I guess a laptop, extension cords, and moving with the sun would probably be logical, but are there any problems with that scenario that anyone can think of? Does anyone have any other ideas for outdoor transcription? I get kind of lonely during the day, so I thought the outdoors might help. Also, work wants me to transcribe 2 hours before breaking! Even though I'm new with this company, I haven't met that goal yet. Thought I would try some new scenery, if it's possible! ');>![](https://forum.mtstars.com/smileys/thankyousign.gif")
More about laptops, would you share?
What brand do you have? What specs, actual screen size, hard drive, RAM, ports? Do you have a parallel port for your foot pedal? Do you have a docking station? I'm looking and am curious what everyone else is using.
should not use laptops on laps....sm
Read months ago in news articles that men should not use laptops on their laps due to radiation to their male body parts and affecting sperm counts...
it can be googled for verification
I have 2 laptops, 1 in case something happens to the other, but
99% of the time I have used the same laptop the entire time. I do work full-time and until recently worked 7 days a week, so it has gotten lots of use. I've also traveled quite a bit with my laptop so it has taken lots of wear and tear.
laptops are no different than desktops.
You most likely won't have a serial port or game port connection on a laptop unless you have it customized, but there will be several USB ports and most everything these days comes with USB connections. There will be a place for headphones on any computer. As far as the rest of the stuff it is the same and you would look for the same things as if you were buying a desktop. I was told recently though that the Sony Viao run hot and that they weren't really made for a mobile type situation.
If you want to travel you have to know all your internet options because you'll find yourself in various situations and your primary option may not be available for some reason, so you always have to have a backup plan.
Opinion on laptops.....sm
Would anybody mind telling me which type of laptop pc they prefer....Toshiba vs. HP, type of processor etc. that they prefer ex.AMD, core duo etc. Considering getting myself one but there are so many out there with so many different specs it is getting quite confusing. You are welcome to e-mail if you wish. I would appreicate any input that I can get to help sort it all out.
Thank you so much......
speaking of laptops
how do you sit outside when you need a foot pedal?? laptop knowledge is sort of new to me also. Thanks!!
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