Laptops and traveling
Posted By: sbMT on 2008-11-04
In Reply to: 'thanks for your response but I think you have to be Wonder Woman to do this... - starving artist
I have two accounts that I work on. My account during the week we don't have strict times, just a time you have to have files done by, so that does allow for a little more ease. On the weekend I cover for a small 50 bed hospital, so sometimes I may have 20 files, sometimes I may have 2. The one on the weekend has a special footpedal that you can only use with their program, but it really isn't that awkward in the car. The one during the week I can use a foot pedal or use F2 to start/stop, F3 to rewind, F4 to FF. At first I was a little slow with this but now I don't find my speed any different with using F2 or with the foot pedal.
It takes some getting used to, but where i live it takes forever to get somewhere, and it's really nice to be able to get some work done. I actually got to make some extra money the other day. My mom drives for a trucking company and they needed someone to take her to get her truck. So she drove my truck to go get it (about an hour away) and I worked the whole time. Got paid a $100 bucks to ride in my truck and work! Of course that was like a one time deal.
The best for me though is getting to go to Florida and visit my dad who is 6 hours away. I can still take my work and work on the road with a pc card (about $60 a month) and not have to take time off. Just have to make sure you discipline yourself to work and not chat with hubby! :)
Like I said, it takes some getting used to, but it comes in handy!
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Traveling MT
If I was a single person, I would most definitely take the position. This would be an opportunity to save lots of money since most of your expenses are paid and you really would not need to maintain an apartment at your home town.
traveling
I work for K-Force now. I also hear Precyse travels but not sure, am looking for another company that does.
traveling MTs
My hubby retired recently, and we travel in our RV. I have a laptop, foot pedal, headphones, and an external keyboard. When in our truck, I just set up a TV tray in the back seat and use the keyboard on the laptop. For Internet access, I have an air card from Verizon. With few exceptions, this has worked quite well for the past 9 months of cross-country travel.
Traveling
I have searched and have not found the answer to my question, so I apologize if this has been discussed before. I live in Florida and as hurricane season approaches, I am trying to figure out what to do if I need to leave town. I work for a company that requires an internet connection, unlimited long distance and a C-phone to dial in to the hospitals. I know that hotels usually offer wireless internet connections, but what about the phone line/connection? It would have to be something that offered unlimited long distance (as the hospitals are in different states) that could be used anywhere (not just my home). Would something like Vonage work? Or does Verizon have something? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Traveling MT- I need you!
nm
For those of you doing MT while traveling...
what about internet security? How do you make sure your work is secure? If you are using some other wifi connection when out and about, do you feel it's private? I am trying to figure out the basics. I'm clueless about this laptop thing but it sounds very versatile.
traveling
I went to San Antonio a couple of months ago for 2 weeks. I rented a laptop from Rent-A-Center, had the company install their software, and took it with me. I worked at the local library the first weekend because they had wireless, but then my father-in-law just went to the cable company and got me a modem for the 2 weeks I was there so I could work at his house. I would do it again though, even with going to the library. It was great to be able to go visit family and friends and not have to lose work either.
The traveling MT...
I have seen some posts about MTs who travel while they work. I would like to try working in the car but my husband is afraid I will get motion sickness. I am prone to motion sickness on curved roads and cannot read in the car. Does anyone else have a problem with this or find that they don't have a problem with typing? It seems like it would be different then reading a book or newspaper especially if I know we have a straight highway drive.
Traveling MT
If you have been a CMT for 20 years, how come you spell a lot as alot? ALOT is not a word!!!!
Traveling Hubby
I, too, have a traveling husband with so much responsibility in his job for the past 20+ years. Often I have had to be put on the back burner with a small child so that he could progress to the successful executive he is today. Things have never been about me, and I have had to accept this. I must say it was much more difficult when my child was young. When he is free, we have to remember to schedule nice things together and get those in his DayTimer before life marches on by us both.
traveling with a laptop
I put a pillow on my lap and the keyboard on top of that. It only took a few minutes to get used to and works great for me.
Traveling Transcriptionist
How can they expect you to be a traveling Transcriptionist and go cold turkey into a facility and maintain a line count of 1500 lines?
Traveling transcriptionist job
I would love a job like this. Where do you apply for it. Also, do you have to do ops to get the job?
Re: traveling transcription
It sounds pretty good and it's a way to see some of the US that you might not otherwise be able to, but I couldn't leave my kids. You also have no way of knowing how much work you'll be given, so make sure you are able to meet your goals and have an out if it gets to be overwhelming. Would you be traveling alone or with another MT, for example? There are several things to consider. I personally am a hometown girl, but if you like to travel, why not?
Are there any traveling transcriptionists out there and do you like it.nm
x
laptop while traveling
What about to send and receive your work via internet services. I would think a wireless/high speed internet would be needed, first of all; but then will that work at all motels that advertise high speed internet services? Any other tips regarding this will be appreciated. I am in the thinking stages of this right now, so want to get the details worked out before spending a lot more money. TIA
Here's how I work while traveling...sm
If we're staying at a hotel, I stay only at one where there is a secured high speed internet available. They'll be happy to tell you if the connections are secured or not if you ask. How you know is this... if it's secured you'll have to enter passwords to enter their system. If they're not secured, you'd just plug in your cord and go for it.
If we're staying with relatives then I stay only with those that have the high speed internet connectivity available through a secured connection.
If neither of the above are available then I use my PeoplePC dial up account to work from. While it's not as fast as DSL/cable it connects well enough to let me work.
I take my keyboard and mouse and plug them into the laptop so that I do not have to depend on the laptop keyboard... which drives me nuts to type much on! Of course the foot pedal goes along as well.
Happy traveling!
Traveling teacher
Where in MT, you can E-mail me
q for those traveling with laptop --
if you use a rolling case, have you had any problems with the laptop that could have resulted from being a bumpy ride? my brother said never to put a laptop in a rolling case, but if i travel by air, i'd practially have to to bring all my essentials along...(and not stoe it)
Traveling with laptop
Does anybody do transcription on their laptop, other than those working for that company that has its own board on here?
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.
Been traveling for 3+ years and have worked the
whole time. Almost every truck stop has internet access, even WiFi, so you can get internet in the truck. Lots of hot spots across the country, can get an air card, use cell phone, etc.
Regarding traveling transcription post below,
was offered $19-$22 per hour for hourly positions and 9-13 cents per line for line positions, paid travel including air, hotel, and rental car, full benefits, and ability to come home every 2-3 weeks for 4 or 5 days. Would you take it? Assignments could be anywhere in US and anywhere from 1 month to 3 years or so. Thanks in advance for your time.
Question about working while traveling..sm..
Since I have my own account and no one to cover for me, I bought a laptop so I can take my work with me and get out of the house, go on vacation, etc. I'm used to typing at a desk with the keyboard on a keyboard tray and a little lower than the computer. I have an external keyboard hooked up to the laptop on a spare desk for now. I just can't picture myself typing at a table or something when on vacation but what other choices do I have?
Anyone have any advice for staying efficient and keeping up typing speed but not being at a desk?
Going with a small group but I am traveling alone.
Yes, it does sound great! I've already downloaded the schedule of speakers -- going to be at the CSI-Decapitation exhibit, see Richard Simmons, lol. I'm also curious to see all the vendors and what they have to display and tell. LOL
Using a laptop computer while traveling
Hi,
In answer to your question, I have a USB aircard through Sprint, which I use here at home since I am in the "boonies" and only a mile and a half from a cell tower however, so my connection speed is great. When I "travel of the weekend" it is usually up to my significant others, and he has DSL available there so I use either or,
Hope this helps.
Never had a problem traveling with equip. NM
X
Question for traveling laptop workers
When staying in a hotel with a desk and internet connection to work, where do you put your keyboard? Anyone have any suggestion for a portable table to use that is the right level. The desks are too high.
Thanks!
those are ads for recruiting - not traveling transcription positions
Kforce put the ads out to attract travelers. I worked for Kforce for 2 years. It was up and down with the work. My health insurance would get cancelled 10 days after an assignment ended, unless Kforce had another assigment to go to immediately. There were times I did not have for up to 3 months. There is always good and bad with a job. Unfortunately, I needed something steady and with insurance, so this wasn't for me.
Okay..I'm a.k.a. WanderingMT. Either way, I'm a traveling, working woman LOL
Need Help. Traveling and cant get express scribe to work......
I flew to my parents house. i didnt want to have to take my laptop on the plane as I already had a bunch of luggage and two little girls. I work out of EMDAT and use express scribe. Well I cant get sound and I keep getting a message that says there might not be a sound card installed or the sound card might be in use by another program.
Is there anywhere online where I can download a sound card, preferrably for free? I work for two companies and didnt take off work, and I am afraid they are going to be very upset if I cant get up and running soon.
Thanks so much :-)
My experience - first time traveling and working
Just got back from Lake Tahoe. I told some of you I would report back and let you know how it went. This was my first experience MTing on the road, and it went so smoothly. I worked about 20 hours from the hotel. They had nice comfy chairs and table big enough to hold all my stuff comfortably. It was amazing being able to look out over the lake and the mountains while working. My only complaint was this particular hotel did not offer a weekly rate for WI Fi. They charged by the day, and it was kind of pricey at $12 a day. I was worried about not having my books, but it was not an issue at all.
Taking a vacation by myself was the most amazing experience. I would highly recommend it to any of you who need to get away from the daily stresses of life. I feel so refreshed!
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!!
Looking at Dell laptops, need help plz..sm
I am going to purchase my first laptop with Dell but have no clue which one to get. I will be working from home with it so I am not too concerned with wireless internet connection and all that. Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks
I use laptops exclusively...sm
I have used a laptop exclusively for years and years and have never had a problem with the screen. I currently have an HP with a 17" screen and keep it constantly during the week. It is about a year old and is just fine. My old one that is for personal use is still going strong after 3-1/2 years.
Any advice on laptops? sm
I'm searching for a laptop to use occasionally. I have a Dell desktop, but have heard some bad things about their laptops. A friend did tell me that Acer has a good reputation for their laptops.
Any/all advice appreciated.
RUN FROM DELL LAPTOPS
Ish will never by a Dell again!!!
Laptops - I am clueless!
Sorry if this is a really dumb question but are all laptops equipped for headsets and foot pedals? I hate all my wires and am considering going with a laptop and wireless connection to do my work but I'm not sure if you can plug in your foot pedal and headset? 
Employees Using Laptops
If you are working from home as an employee, do any of you have employers who allow you to use laptops? If so, does the company provide those, or are you required to buy your own?
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