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Poll: Do you keep your keyboard on top of the

Posted By: desk or on the keyboard sliding shelf? nm on 2008-02-12
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nm


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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!!


I use a MSFT Natural keyboard at home and the laptop keyboard on the road. nm

favorite keyboard over the holidays is called "no keyboard"
nm
If you use a standard keyboard you can buy an old IBM model M keyboard on ebay or clickykeyboards.co

That key printing never wear down because the letters are part of the key itself.  They just don't make them that way anymore because it is too expensive to make.  Some of the mechanical keyboards like Cherry have what they double shot key imprinting and the letters are part of the key itself and don't wear off. That IBM keyboard is very noisy from the type of keyswitch it has so you may not like that.  Logitech and Belkin make some membrane switch keyboards that are supposed to have longer lasting key imprints.  I have a logitech that has the longer lasting key imprints and it is pretty good.  You have to look on the specs to find out if has the longer lasting key printing.


I have experimented so much with keyboards and have done a lot of research.  Way too much info.  


 


I use a laptop with a full-size keyboard (no separate keyboard)
I'm using a lap desk but previously was using a pillow with a book on it under the laptop. No additional keyboard though, I bought one with a full-sized board with regular size keys (an HP) which I LOVE and it took no time at all to get used to it. I also love that when the weather improves, I can take my computer outside and get some fresh air! What a great job... :)
Keyboard and mouse. Is there such a thing as a keyboard that has a mouse on the actual keyboard?
nm

Has anyone used the Smartboard keyboard? Everyone tell what keyboard they have and rate it nm
nm
Kinesis Keyboard and keyboard tray

Okay, any lefties use this keyboard? How long did it take to get used to? I use my left thumb for the space bar and I notice on a diagram of the keys that I would always be hitting the backspace key.


I'm really interested in getting a better keyboard. I destroyed my left hand and wrist the other week when I fell because I'm becoming a real klutz.


I bought the Soft Flex gloves, but they only help a little bit. My production is down because of it and it's driving me crazy. I can only type an hour without stopping and then have to rest the hand for some time.


I did buy a Microsoft 2000 keyboard but have yet to recieve it. Is this a good one?


Do you use a keyboard tray with it or just set it on the desk? Do you think a kayboard tray would be the least expensive item right now that would help with a straight keyboard?


Any info you can provide to help me in making any decision would be greatfully appreciated.


'Scuse me for being old school, but I've only ever used a straight keyboard.


 


Does anyone know of a keyboard that has the backspace key in the center of the keyboard? NM
nm
Split keyboard mounted on chair arms versus split keyboard on desk

For longtime comfort which is best - split keyboard mounted on chair arms or split keyboard to be used on the desk?


Also, why the preference over split keyboards that come totally apart versus split keyboards that are permanently connected at the top?


I want to revamp my office and there are so many different options.


Gold touch makes a keyboard without number pad. Also the evoluent keyboard has the number pad on th
It is a very small keyboard and has laptop keys which are very quiet and light to the touch.  Almost no noise.
POLL
Ok, we know what we are unhappy about in this business.   LET'S TAKE A POLL.  In 4 lines or less, what would be your ideal Transcriptionist job?   No flames please. Just list the important factors that would make you want to go to bat for a company.  Include pay plan also.   Thanks. 
re:poll

Consistent, steady amount of work on the same one or two accounts, you know, the ones you know so well you can do them in your sleep?


Pay that makes you feel like getting up and hitting the keys each day.


For at home MT's, at least some feedback from office ie: what's going on, who's new/old etc, instead of calling in, asking for someone only to find out they jumped ship....ooops, I've run over my line allotment


Poll
1. To be treated with RESPECT and shown appreciation.

2. To work 1 account with less than 500 ESL doctors in order to have some consistency and become familiar with your doctors and then maybe be able to achieve your line count.

3. To be paid for your actual lines typed and not what they think you should be paid for.

4. To be informed of what is going on in the company by your supervisor or other higher up and not have to come to this board for information.

POLL

Curious as to what many of my fellow old-timers in this field may be telling the newbies and/or wannabies coming into this profession.  Personally, I'm getting out. Too much disrespect and flat out ingratitude by the doctors and allied health care professionals alike.  I worked so hard to get where I'm at, and have precious little to show for it. 


Therefore, I discourage new people from entering this profession.  STRONGLY!  What do you say on the matter?  Answer:   (Your letter is enough on the reply.)


A.  I strongly discourage newbies entering the field.


B.  I somewhat discourage newbies entering the field.


C.  I have no opinion.  Too tired.


D.  I say go for it, but feel sorry them.


E.  I highly encourage them.  Things will be well for them, and different but good.


Opinions, anyone?


 


That has nothing to do with the poll.

It wasn't meant to be democrat against republican or liberal against conservative.  It was only a question to see what people would rather see their tax dollars spent on.  Both parties pay taxes.  I'm just curious as to what means more to people....taking care of those in poverty whether by their own choice or not  OR taking care of those who are already wealthy and paying for things that we could not afford to have for ourselves like million-dollar pensions.


POLL - sm
Can anyone else not type well if their nails are long?  I have to keep mine trimmed short....anyone else type better like this or does it not matter how long they are?   Just curious if it's just me.   
Poll
What would you go into if you left the MT field with this being your only skill, in your late to early 40s, and having a  high school diploma?
poll
I really would like to know. I dont want to do this anymore.
Poll
I think you youngsters should go for your dreams, and do it now.  I have been  MTing for many years and my arms hurt so bad.  I am tired of being jerked around, making less and less money.  I'm an exM*er (you-know-who) - pretty much says it all.  I now do VR for half the money.  Been through court reporting school and even took flight lessons long ago (flying was just for fun - eh, don't care much for the justice system).  Now going into coding.  Can't wait to say goodbye to the MT business.    
Poll
I went to court reporting school many years ago.  My husband (at that time) paid for it.  He also put me through flight school.  Like I said, I do VR editing for half.  I have no money.  Just to be able to pay for coding school (I intend to go to Andrews), will be a struggle.  No fun, but this is my reality.  What to do?  Suck it up and move on! 
let's take a poll
I am ticked about something that I probably should just forget about and count my blessings.  I work at home usually until about 5 or 5:30 pm.  My husband comes home from work at 4 pm.  He does not even say hello or give me a peck on the cheek let alone a hello smack on the lips. He thinks I should get up out of my chair and quick working for a little bit if I want attention.  Anyone else in this same boat?
Poll

Why not compromise?  He speaks when he comes in.  You stop for 2 (TWO) minutes to respond and then get back to work.  Both happy!


Poll - Ever since I saw that - sm
commercial where the woman was cleaning her kitchen with chicken leg, I have switched to using a dishcloth instead of a sponge.  That was the most disgusting commercial ....  Anyway, what to you all use?  Cloth or sponge, or other?  Just curious, as it takes time to get use to using something other than a sponge.
Poll
Psychiatry is easy - ophthalmology, denistry and vet - hardest.
poll
Easiest: ER and psychiatry.

Hardest: Cardiology and anything by a mumbler or an individual with a REALLY HEAVY accent.
Poll:
It's whatever you make of it. I've known women who thought it was slavery, and ones who thought it was the pinnacle of their job life. It is what you make of it. Intensely personal experience. I've found that people who are true word geeks feel fulfilled by the learning experience. People who do it cuz they HAVE to, generally will hate it no matter what, because then it IS the equivalent of slavery.
POLL: What is your cat/dog's name?
I have 2 dogs, Bandy and Molly, and a cat, Katielynn.
POLL
All the posts about proofing as you go versus proofing when you finish got me to thinking.  One poster mentioned something about having the TV on while working.  I'm guilty of that myself sometimes.   I don't usually keep the TV on my entire shift but I like to have it on part of the time.  Usually toward the end of my shift I'll turn the TV to make it seem a little less lonely.  I work second shift and everyone has gone to bed before I finish work.  Sometimes I just like a little background noise.  Unfortunately, sometimes something interesting will come on and I stop to turn around and watch.....sometimes too long.  That usually only happens when something VERY IMPORTANT is one like American Idol.  Eating is another habit I do too often while working.  Or throwing in a load of laundry in the washer/dryer.  Oh, and cooking.  What else do you do while working?  I know my wheels are always spinning about what else I need to be doing.....what to have for dinner.....what needs to be done before I go to bed.....what I need to do tomorrow.....  Or cooking and talking on the phone, helping with homework, etc., etc.  Let's not forget being on MTStars while working.  LOL.  These days it is hard to do just one thing at at time, isn't it????
ANOTHER POLL

What are your favorite TV shows?  Do you have favorites that you will never miss?  There are regulars that I tape daily/weekly (unless it is a rerun):



  1. Young and the Restless

  2. Bold and the Beautiful

  3. Grey's Anatomy

  4. Desperate Housewives

  5. New Adventures of Old Christine

  6. American Idol

  7. ER

  8. Scrubs

I also have other favorites, but I don't go to the trouble of taping them.  Only so many hours in a week!  Some of my other favs are the dating shows, Oprah, Tonight Show, Paula Deen, and those entertainments shows like Extra, etc. 


 


 


POLL

I would have to say this week on this board the word "troll".  Seeing that word so many times a day is getting on my nerves more than the posts the "trolls" post.  At least what the "troll" is posting is something different to read.  Of course, then there are a few other overused words/phrases: 



  1. like
  2. you know what I'm saying?
  3. IMO
  4. cool
  5. actually
  6. basically
  7. brangelina
  8. jen and ben
  9. awesome
  10. most curse words
  11. to be honest......
  12. git-er-done (hate that one)
  13. how's that working for you?

Poll
Dog-Rojam 14-year-old black lab retired guide dog--named after his sponsor's grandchildren--Rose and James. Dog-Daisy--golden. Cat-Charlie. Cat-Skoshi-Japanese for "little"
Poll
x
POLL: What is your cat/dog's name?
My cat is Dorothy.
Poll
Need some positivity today!! Having a bad month and want to hear that others are having a good things happen! Thanks.
Job poll
Same here. I was comfortable working for a smaller company until they lost the account I was working on. I was there for 2 years and happy for the most part. Since then it has been down hill. I have held a part-time job for the last 6 months and have tried others only to quit after a week or in one case a day. I have been taking a lot of temp jobs. I would love to find one full-time great job again.
Concerning the poll
This may an odd question but who do you work for? The last time I did QA I was paid $15/hr. Took a few years off and now doing MT/Editing work. I need to find a QA job again. Any suggestions?
MT Poll...

How many years have you been an MT, and what's your longest run at the same company....


 


I've been an MT for 11 years....the past 8 with the same company. 


Another poll: Regarding our tax dollars.

In view of the increased cost of gasoline, housing, medical care, now heating and electric, when it comes to the tax dollars coming from YOUR income, would you prefer it go to:


A.)  Those on welfare due to bad choices, those on welfare because they refuse to work, those on welfare due to unwed pregnancy, or those receiving governmental aid due to just being elderly and unable to  work, or due to catastrophic illnesses or events such as Katrina.


or


B.) Those elected officials to use for their wives' tummy tucks, their children's daycare, their expensively catered business meetings with other elected officials (including water at $500 a case), their tax-funded trips with their families as "staff", and their million-dollar tax-funded pensions.


Time to take a poll

Anyone out there have to wear bifocals to type?


KWIK POLL
Need a quick stat if anyone has a moment to answer .... what is the "going rate" for transcription of VR these days?  I do use that term loosely, as I know it can involve either hourly or by the page or by the line, and it also entails "easy" work vs very technically difficult.  However, from the standpoint of someone who needs a springboard to start from, any sane offerings of truth out there?   THANK YOU IN ADVANCE VERY, VERY MUCH!   You are good people.
MT poll question
If you had a choice would you prefer to work hourly or continue to be paid  by the line? What  do you think a skilled (let's say 5 or more years experience) MT is worth by the hour?  
MT POLL Question
I personally would rather work by the hour and in house. These Nationals are all alike. They say whatever they want to get you hired. I have worked for several and I think most of them are the same, although the smaller ones are much better to work for. As an MT with 20+ years experience, i started out in-house at 16.50 an hour with benefits
POLL: Any SE had IRS problems?
I'd like to hear how things are going with the IRS now.  Is their witch hunt for SE's over?  I was lucky I had a signed contract with my then MT company that clearly stated my SE status, otherwise I would have been done for.  It took my 2 years to get the IRS out of my hair due to that status.
Okay, here's a poll. see inside.
Who has the best pipes, Barbra or Celine?   Personally, neither is my cup of tea, but I listen to the radio at work a lot and I have to admit, Celine just knocks Barbra out of the water as far as power and range and just about every other way.  Let the voting begin!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Work poll
How's the work flow today.  Back to normal from the holiday or same old same shortage?
Poll: MT Job Satisfaction

Here is another poll. I would like to hear from anybody with MT experience, but I am especially interested to hear from MTs with 10+ years experience.


If you had to do it over again, would you still have gotten into the field of MT?


Poll: Where you work

Do you work for:


--a national


--smaller MTSO


--hospital/clinic


--self-employed


 


Poll: Age/Sex of current MTs

My theory is that the majority of MTs working today are in their 40s or 50s and are female.


 


Am I correct? We shall see....


RE: Poll: Age/Sex of current MTs
Divorced, age 52, male, long-time Transcriptionist (>15 years)
Poll: What is the best vactation you have ever been on? Where and
nm