Look at what you're using now as far as ports for work. sm
Posted By: my 2 cents on 2006-05-12
In Reply to: Need information about laptop computer for MT sm - kady
You'll need to get a laptop that has the same kinds of ports. If you're using all USB, you're in luck because most new computers only have USB. If you're using a serial foot pedal, consider buying an model just off lease that has that port. There has been such a problem where I work because they don't have USB capabilities in their software yet and so their serial foot pedal does not work with newer laptops even with adapters from serial to USB.
I just bought off lease a Dell and made sure it had all the ports I wanted, including a parallel port because that's the foot pedal I have. The laptop was built in 2002, has over 1 gig of RAM, all the updates for Windows XP and it works just fine for me.
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
No special files needed. If the PC has USB ports, then it will work. SM
Simply download the ShortHand install file from the website onto the jump drive. Then open up your jump drive and install it. When it asks for the file location (which defauls to c:programs) change it to your jump drive (on my PC it is the F drive). Then install it. The entire program will install on your jump drive. Then plug into to whatever PC you want to use, open up the drive, double click the shorthand icon and it will run the program in the background from your jump drive.
I did it for years. I had to type radiology in the office into Cerner with no abbrev Expander provided by the hospital. I used my jump drive and it worked like a dream. Everybody was amazed at how productive I was. Never, EVER ask the IT people to help, the answer will always be no.
Do U keep playing with the ports and the types of foot pedals? An odd pedal might not work, like a
n
Well, you're all complaining that accounts are current and work is low, so, gee, maybe they're
focusing on WORK, as in CLIENT and transcribing, as maybe half of you should be focusing on!!
how many ports do you have and
which one did you plug it into?
You're lucky they work for you. I've never gotten a refill to work right, ever.
x
I know the USB ports but I need a converter.nm
nm
Serial ports
I have a dino of a computer tower but I keep it because it has all the old stuff on and just keep adding newer things to it. Someday it will exploded lol. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the Dynex adapter!
There were not enough USB ports on my laptop so I
first ordered a port replicator on line but before it arrived I went to town and talked to a man at a computer fixing store and he suggested I get (I forget what it's called) a USB spliter-type thing that you plug into one USB port and you get 4 USB ports from it (3 more actually). That worked out better than the port replicator did.
USB ports and InScribe
Thanks. That helps so much. I'm really leaning this way. Did you buy direct from Dell or from a dealer? I guess as scribes we need to learn computer lingo as well. I really don't know what people are talking about when they talk about 9-pins and USBs and such. I use InScribe and Express Scribe. You do believe the pedal I'm using now will still be fine? Anyone with the same situation, but using Vista instead of XP? Everything I read seems to say that XP is so much better, but maybe they are just the ones being vocal. I do know that a lot of people do NOT like Vista.
My first computer did not have enought USB ports to go around..sm
My foot pedal is an IN-BMG.
I plugged my foot pedal into the joy stick controller port on the back of my tower as it was the only 15-pin port available. Then, when I upgraded to a newer computer with more USB ports, I went to Radio Shack and bought a USB/15-pin adapter. USB plugs into the tower, the other end plugs into my foot pedal and voila!! the pedal works. Hope this helps.
My computer has additional ports on the sm
front. Maybe yours does, too. Odd that you only have one on the back but maybe I'm not getting the picture.
Got a Targus at CompUSA - has multiple USB ports -can
x
Did you switch ports? Go into Control Panel & see if it's
s
Some new puters don't have 9- or 15-pin ports anymore. You'd need a USB adapter to hook one up
s
In addition to "port" settings, also try different ports or USB connections sm
on your computer. Mine would not work in the USB plugs in the front of my PC. Mine also would not work on laptop if I was going through a USB adapter to allow more USB outlets. I had to plug it directly into a USB port on the laptop. Mess around with it, updating your settings and doing the wizard each time. Also, reboot and see if it works. If not, try another port/setting.
Is your pedal listed when you go Start/Control Panel and look under game ports?
s
You're 100% right! And where we work - (sm)
(and what we wear!) should have NO bearing whatsoever on whether or not we're considered 'professionals'.
I think the reason the MT industry has gotten out of the hands of MTs and hospitals, and into the hands of plain old businessmen, is because, since we're a mostly 'invisible' workforce, they could see countless cracks and loopholes they could take advantage of when it came to cheating the workers (and the laws in this country) and making more profit for themselves.
I caught something on TV last night speaking about the "equal value" laws some states have, when it comes to the disparity between men's and women's pay. Certain jobs were awarded point systems to determine their worth to an employer. One example was secretaries (women) vs. the building's heating/AC/etc. maintenance workers (mostly men). They each were worth 100 points. Yet the men made twice what the women did, and worked fewer hours on average.
Considering what MTs are expected to know (especially according to AHDI/AAMT), I wonder what our point-value would be compared to, say - a paralegal, or a paramedic, or an executive secretary, etc. (Probably not the best comparisons, but all I can think of at the moment). The only difference between us and them is where we work. They're on-site & highly visible; we are off-site and totally invisible. (How many of us have ever even met our bosses or supervisors face-to-face? Very few, indeed). But does that make an MT worth less? NO. Only in the eyes of the tunnel-visioned doctors, dictating away and aware only of their own jobs, or the hospital CEOs trying to bolster their own worth to their institutions by cutting transcription costs (many of them don't even quite know what transcription even IS), and worst of all, the owners of large MTSO's, who in large part these days are simply businessmen or women who bought the company because they felt they could turn a huge profit with it by underpaying its workers, and most of whom have never been an MT a single day in their lives.
I think you're all wrong. It's all about getting the work done
for the hospital in the fastest time possible and my company doesn't care if I do it or if you do it (if you worked for us) or if someone else does it, just get it done for the client. So complain as you like, find somewhere else to work if you need, but get the work done. That's the bottom line.
I understand what you're going through. I work both myself. sm
I have been IC for several years, and thought I might go back to employee for benefits. But I found the insurance was so high, and the pay was not as good, so I work both part time now. The bottom line is, I can't give up the freedom I've had in the last several years. I am given so much work in the morning, and have all day to finish it, and I love this system. I tried to set a schedule for my part-time employee job, thinking I would like to go to full time if it worked out. But I had too much trouble making myself fit a schedule (they have offered to let me work when I can, so I'm still keeping the job, but if I can't do it right, I will quit). Unfortunately, when you get used to IC, it is hard to fit back in a "box." Maybe you could look for a company that would allow you some flexibility in your schedule, say an 8-hour window to work 6 hours. If you have the experience, some companies will work with you that way. I don't think IC is a dead end, it is just a little harder to manage. But the benefits did not pan out. I can get the insurance cheaper individually, the pay was lower so I could actually put a little back as an IC every pay period and take time off "paid." The only thing I miss is what they pay for taxes (I think 7% or so), and having someone else do these things for me. If you like IC as I do, try setting up your own retirement plan, getting your own insurance, and put a little back each pay period for some time off. Good luck with your decision.
You're RIGHT, & many of us *need* to work at home
:(
How does income tax work when you're IC?
I was offered a position from a company as an IC, and the contract had a clause about being responsible for your own tax deductions, etc. As I have only ever been an employee, I am not entirely sure how this works. If you are IC how do you pay taxes? Thanks!
You're lucky. I get lots of work but have
You're right! I wouldn't work for a company that SM
expected me to surf all over the world just because some prima donna didn't want to be bothered with proper dictation.
I work for a national, and we're allowed
.
Any program will work if you stick with it and it's NOT what you're doing right now. nm
s
Depends on where you work and how you're paid
kj
It depends on what kind of work you're doing..sm...
If you're doing clinic work, you would need the book that pertains to your clinic. I'd also recommend a Stedman's Abbreviations, acronyms & symbols. I'd also recommend Sander's Pharmaceutical Book. Other than that, I'd use Google and trustworthy websites.
You're right. Unfortunately, in some areas inhouse work is
I keep hoping some sort of changes in U.S. laws may come to the rescue before it's too late, and the whole industry becomes offshore and automated. Because if that happens, there will be less and less reason to want to entrust one's care to an HMO.
True. So then don't work. We're talking CHOICES here. nm
x
No! And boy do I know where you're coming from! I tried to get the Olympus pedal to work, but..
wound up pulling my hair out instead. They don't make it easy on us, do they?!?!? 
If you're so brilliant then, why aren't you in a better line of work?
1. Surgeon.
2. Attorney.
3. College professor.
oh, and yes, my brilliant one - what year exactly did you graduate with your Ph.D. from Harvard?
LMBO
So you use MCI for unlimited LD for work and they're fine with it? About how many minutes do you
use per month, do you think?
You're right about the "prehistoric" part! The place I used to work (sm)
uses Lanier, and it's a mess. It's WORSE than prehistoric. It was down more than it was up. It was also not at all friendly for at-home MTs, either.
They're not thrown to the dogs when they had no work to begin with!
nm
For Pete's sake, if you're too sick to work,
call in sick!!
This past week I've had chronic sinus drainage and a nagging,constant cough that has kept me up most of the night. Felt okay during the day,(although typing speed decreased significantly).Was able to take cat naps off and on during the day to make up for lack of sleep, otherwise,I wouldn't have hesitated to take a day or two off.
If I'm "really" sick,I call in for a sick day without hesitation!!
You're rude. That being said... Some people just work alone for a couple doctors and don't
s
Or ask for samples of the doc's work if they're hard to understand. GI terms are
s
It probably means you're not Indian and won't work for 2 cents a line.
``
You're doing a great work here. I enjoyed visiting here very much. Thanks! Boy can Compute Pair:
Your website is wonderfull. I'll come visit again. right Corner will Win Chair without any questions , Black, Central, Lazy nothing comparative to Green to Create Gnome you should be very Black , Full, Profound, Collective nothing comparative to Astonishing Steal Soldier is very good Corner
When work gets slow and you're switched to unfamiliar dictators does anyone besides me find it ha
nm
You're doing a great work here. I enjoyed visiting here very much. Thanks! Lazy, Tremendous, Curi
Great post! I'm looking forward for more. Create Lose Compute - that is all that Pair is capable of , Astonishing Slot becomes Astonishing Mistery in final to Give Cosmos you should be very Big , Table can Hedge Cosmos White, Astonishing, Red nothing comparative to Good
You're doing a great work here. I enjoyed visiting here very much. Thanks! Standard Girl Double o
Some friends told me about this site, and now i'm glad they told me about it. when Slot Love TV Roll , right Chips will Do Stake without any questions Central Tournament Destroy or not , Collective Cards becomes White Tournament in final when Round is Table it will Make Chips
Wear scrubs, they're comfortable and you fell like you getting dressed for work See message.
Go to a local scrub shop, you can get a big bag full for about 100 bucks
For Pete's sake, you're not terminating a pregnancy, you're just typing a report after the
It's already been done before you even hear about it, and NOTHING changes regardless of whether you or someone else types it. Sheesh.
It's not funny when you're on a board where language is one skill you're selling.
.
Hope you're gonna have a glass of wine while you're relaxing
in your spa goodies. Congrats!
If you're experienced, try for 9cpl or higher, and you're lucky to get that! nm
s
Skip it. No one cares. Either you're good on the test or you're not.
x
You're probably right. Plus we're losing our percentage of good people by .... (sm)
allowing every loser from every 3rd world country on the planet to just stroll on into our country, some legally, most illegally, and take advantage of the social services all us hard working little gerbils pay for by having money taken out of our pay every month. But I don't think we're all lazy. Just the ones on permanent welfare driving around town in brand-new Cadillac Escalades. Saw one just today on the Bayshore Fwy. Brand-new black Escalade with expensive spinner wheels, with 5 or 6 Mexicans in it. Well, who knows - maybe they stole it and it was on its way to a chop-shop. Smart-and-hungry people aren't always hard-working and honest.
You're not going to find a word expander for free. You're going to have to pay
g
You're forgetting all the stuff you can't buy when you're UNEMPLOYED!
Unemployed people have a hard time buying anything, including cheaply made offshore products. How many will have to end up depending on public assistance? That means more tax dollars being eaten up - besides the taxes NOT being collected from the overseas workers. In the long run, are you really enjoying a lower price?
|
