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Question about Internet speed

Posted By: Margi on 2009-06-04
In Reply to:

Does anyone know what speed Internet an MT should have?  I have cable (but didn't purchase the fastest) and have run tests on a free site to check it, but I'm not really sure what I am looking for as far as results.


Also, I am the one who posted about routers.  I failed to ask before if the router can also affect the speed performance of the computer and, if so, what to look for there.


Any help much appreciated! 




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High speed internet
If you have an internet-based platform, you don't need to use a phone line with high speed internet.  I managed to get rid of a second phone line that way.  The company pays for the intenet. 
High speed internet
My high speed internet is received via a small satellite dish mounted on my house.  It is pointed toward a tower where the signal is sent.  It does not require a phone line at all.  It works on the same principle as a satellite dish, only for internet.
high speed internet
I have satellite and thought it couldn't be used for MT work at home....do you use it for MTing? Thanks for reply!
Does your son have high speed internet???
If so get vonage for your long distance. I just unplug my Vonage and take my router and I have my own phone line anywhere I have high speed internet.
if you have high speed internet
you shouldn't have any problems - I typically download a 43 minute file in about 2 minutes ... the bonus is the file is always there waiting for me so I can take a quick bathroom break, I can "rewind" to hear problems again, etc. To me, downloading files is MUCH easier than doing Dictaphone but JMO.
Use high speed internet. No offense taken. nm
x
Turn off - especially if you are on high-speed internet
This will prevent you from contracting various illnesses on your computer.
Internet speed requirement for Chartnet?
My company is in the process of moving to Chartnet and are saying the optimum internet speed is 3000 Kbs upload, 600 Kbs download. At best, I get 1200 Kbs upload, 400 Kbs download,but often less. I have no other internet options where I live. Am I going to have a lot of problems? Thanks in advance.
We have direct TV and directway internet for high speed and luv it!!!! nm
x
Vonages requires high speed internet...

so you would need either DSL/cable or broadband.  I have broadband and hooked up to Vonage for 2 months for C-phone use.  The audio quality was frequently poor and I would have to reboot.  Some days I would just hook up to my home phone line to avoid the hassle.  The kicker was when I went to disconnect this month, they charged me $97 TO CANCEL!  Its all in the fine print, apparently.


My audio problems may well have had to do with broadband/satellite service more than anything.  If you have cable/DSL it may be worth a shot, but know that if you cancel after their 30-day trial you are going to pay! 


Any experience using Embarq high-speed internet?

Hi, wondering if anyone has experience with Embarq for phone/high-speed internet access.  They merged/absorbed Sprint a while back, apparently. They are the only provider for a nearby small town and I'm wondering if it's even a good idea to move there...


Thanks!


My high speed internet is through our local t.v. cable company. nm.
x
Well, the first thing you'll need is a high speed internet connection if you don't already hav

it.  You'll want to invest in a foot pedal that you can connect to your PC.  I'd check out the pedals on transcriptiongear.com or check out Ebay.  I've found a lot of useful MT equipment on ebay for really reasonable prices.  I have an Infinity USB pedal that works nicely and I bought it off of Ebay.  You'll need to download ExpressScribe or another program so you will be able to play back sound files using your pedal.  That will make it a lot easier for you to test with some of the national companies as they generally have .wav files that you'll need to transcribe and send back before they will make an offer.


Once you've landed a job, the bigger companies generally will provide you with whatever software required to do their work and some provide you with all the equipment you'll need.  However, some will require you to use your own PC and will want you to have the latest version of Word.


That should get you started.


Anyone on the high speed internet that has found it just crawling along for some reason. All of a
sudden my just goes into web sites at a crawl and my computer is fine and modem seems fine.  No clue what is going on. 
I have a KVM switch and using cable for my high-speed internet so what i needed ... SM

to connect my second computer to the internet was simply the ethernet cord along with the KVM switch box.  I actually work with a router, but it was simple to set up and works like a charm. 


increase speed 3, decrease speed 2...sm
increase backspace 9, decrease backspace 8. At least that's what mine does.
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.
C-phone speed help! PLEASE! Speed key!
I am in tears - typing speedy gonzalez - a total knee replacement, not a standard, dictated in under 1 minute - FULL REPORT!  Can you imagine? I have a C-phone that is just hanging in there, but lost all its programming.  Isn't there a # key on the number part of the phone that reduces speed?  I need it way slooooooooooow!! I'm afraid to just start hitting numbers, though, cause I've lost reports that way!! Anybody have a # to hit for me???
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."
Speed when it comes to DSL

I would love to cut my bills, with my DSL carrier have to have land phone in order to have internet. I do both VR and straight typing, mostly VR. Has anyone had any issues with similar, using the fastest DSL (which costs more) and then going to the lower rate (which costs less). I might be interested if I can find is there really that much difference in your speed?


Probably will! Maybe we could speed it along - sm
by sending the link to our local TV stations!
speed
your processor is what adds speed or diminishes speed. being as that your computer is 4-5 years old, your processor probably just cannot keep up with the expectations you have of it. With increased files and using an online platform, you probably need an updated processor. Also depends on how much you have *open* at the time of working on the online platform.
Speed

Definitely have to have a split keyboard.  My wpm went up considerably with the split keyboard plus your hands don't get as tired because it is in a more natural position. 


Speed

I have found that timing myself with a stopwatch makes me get more done.  Otherwise, I take my time and then I do less work.  I make a limit for each transcription, and then I try to beat that time. 


Abby


Speed
what speed do you all keep your dictations on? normal or chipmunk style?
I did this, what did it say your speed was?
It said mine averaged 180.
speed it up
I am in the same situation. My computer is fine, just slow, and I don't want to buy a new one, especially not with Vista. I bought 1GB of RAM from an ebay seller (new) for $35, watched a YouTube video on how to install it (super quick and easy), and now it is running a lot faster. I also ran a Scan Disk and Defragmenter to clean it up. I had hundreds of thousands temporary internet files that got cleared out.
MT'ing isn't all about speed, although...

of course it helps to type fairly fast.  However, there is sooooo much more to it than just typing speed.


That being said, my own speed without using any text expansions isn't nearly as great as some mention here.  I tested using expansions recently and hit well over 200 wpm.  Thankfully, I am able to use a text Expander while working . . . otherwise I might starve to death. 


how to test for speed ?
is there an online test we can take? I'd love to take one nowadays ... it's been a while since I have !

JoJo
How long does it take to get up to speed at a new job?
Also, which is better, acute or clinic?  I can't seem to get my production up to where it used to be.  The reports are super short, about a minute or less.  The header info is a tedious process of checking this, checking that, verifying everything.  I don't know if this is going to work out, but I can't afford to be changing jobs again this close to Christmas.  The work itself is super easy.
Had a speed-demon doc whose
nurse, whom I could hear in the background, asked him, "Geez, how can they understand you when you talk so fast?", and he replied, "Oh that's they way they like it!"  Wonder where he got that idea?  At least he talked to her so she could understand him...LOL.
speed typing
Okay, ladies.  I have been working for 8 months now as an MT and my typing accuracy still is lacking quite a bit.  I have the typer shark program that I use sometimes.  I type about 50 WPM.  Not good enough for me.  I was hoping that somebody could give me suggestions or hope that it will come with time.  I seem to be a little bit better lately, but I keep hearing about MTs who type 300+ lines per hour.  It takes me a couple hours or more to do that.  Depending on the dictator, of course.  One woman said she used to type the news and that seemed to help her.  I just need some encouragement that I will get better, or maybe some people don't. 
speed typing
I also use IT, as it is through the company I work for. I am still getting to know the program. I tried Mavis. I found her to be cute, but annoying. I think am just being impatient. I really like the typer shark program. It's actually fun. I think I will take the time to work on understanding IT, so I can get it to work for me.

Thanks your input. It did make me feel hopeful!
speed typing
Will do! Thank you for the encouragement.
Speed was an issue for me....
Hi, Sandi - If you've been working with a dial-up at home and haven't had a problem, I'll bet you won't have one with the PC card. My problem is that I am spoiled - in my home office I have the fastest DSL we can get in our area - 7 mbps. So, when I use my laptop remotely, the Verizon service almost seems like dial-up to me. Just to give you an idea, the last time I used it remotely, I downloaded 20 discharge summary dictations, most of them around 5 minutes long, and it took about 45 minutes for all of the audio to download. Of course, I was camping in an area where the cell phone signal wasn't that great, so that might have been a factor.

If I were you, I'd try out your card for a few days before you dump your other service, just to compare.... It's all what you are used to, I guess....
playback speed
Thank you, I will check on this. You all have been so helpful. Thank you very much!
Can you get high speed?
That's VERY expensive for dial up.  Most high speed services cost about that.
VR - speed and training

Honestly, how fast will VR type the dictation. I read somewhere about 160?  Is that all?  I don't understand how a Transcriptionist can train the program when it is the doctor that is dictating.  Can someone explain.  I am trying to figure out if this is something I want - whether it be to save my wrists for the future/ or if it will type the work faster than I do.  I am generally about 200 now, depending on the work, sometimes better, sometimes worse. TIA.


My speed is really high but this job is not what
it was years ago. With being an engineer, it would seem that the money should really be good there. I have done this now for over 30 years and if I had to do now and raise a family, I would have to work more than 1 job, possibly 3-4. It is really not the money maker it was once, not at all. The work is not easy, not just a typist job, in fact after all these years I still am always trying to make sure my QA is not lacking, otherwise your job is lacking as in gone. My speed is around 140 wpm but the speed is not what is really important. I found it extremely difficult starting out and trained for over a year inhouse before I ever earned production. This would not be a job I would recommend now unless you just want to stay at home with a child, do part time, retired, in other words where you want to put in time and really don't need to make a living doing it.
Speed Type
Has a utility available that will convert your present files to ST for a $15 fee .. well worth it from my little chair!! Also, Betsy works with people to make sure they are on the right track with ST and has a toll free number and she is the help desk and not overseas, which should indicate that she does not have heavy volume of technical calls. It is a great program.
I did downgrade from 5.0 speed sm

to 1.5 speed and I notice no difference. I have done both VR and straight typing on Extext and notice really no difference. Saved me a bundle of money. Sprint DSL.


With your experience and speed.....
I don't know why others are telling you to try production-based before going home. With a typing speed of what you say you can do, you would well exceed 18.00 an hour. I don't think my typing speed is much over 100-110, but I average 25.00-28.00 an hour. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Exactly what I was talking about, if not for speed
and I mean my typing, nothing else, I would not be able to make what I want to make. I have to absolutely without any doubt keep all my attention on my work for the straight full 8 hours, no breaks, no lunch, dinner, hardly bathroom breaks until I finish. I could have break and/or food but then would just have to work later on in the evening. If not for the fast speed and having my dictation set as fast as it will go and my keeping up with most times, I could not stay in this business. Like I said, in 80s almost 60thous, in the 90s 40thous and now in the 20thous. Next 10 years I will be paying to work for them, I guess!!!
I speed them up every chance I get!

What is your typing speed? - sm
Though most of being a great MT involves excellent listening skills, to make the most of production, IMHO, you have type like the wind and use macros, including macro sentences rather than words only.  Just a thought - when was the last time you took a typing test?  I think there is a free Web based typing test...
Doubling Speed

I am pretty new at transcription and only typing approximately 100 lph.  Any good tips on ways to help me double this?  - I do use word Expanders (constantly making new and revamping as see fit).


I suppose practice, practice, practice is the main way; but I am guessing many of you who are experienced have discovered some helpful things along the way.


Really need to pay my bills, so I am willing to give any ideas a shot!


Thanks,


Kristy


doubling speed
One neat trick a fellow MT said was to push the dictator speed up just as fast as you can to still understand them. It really makes you perk up and pay attention, and keeps it going. Slowing down to understand them clearly seems to d-r-a-g you down. Hope it helps. :^)
I wish you could control the speed with
a keystroke. That would make it much more efficient IMO, instead of having to use the mouse.

Be sure you go into the spell-check settings and allow it to spell check capitals, especially if your account has you put allergies in caps (but even headings benefit from spell-checking).

Unfortunately it will then spell check patient names. Wish they could tell it not to spell-check the demographics.

Other than these quirks I think ExText works pretty well.
Maybe just me, but your speed is slow
at 70 wpm. I have been tested at 130-140 and getting the lines just not an effort- I think it has everything to do with the 70 wpm. You really need to build your Expanders and abbreviation list- that would help you tremendously.
I do VR, have my speed as fast as I can get and
I only average about 357 lph. There is no way I could get 1000 - my speed would not even go that fast.
Typing Speed

Is there an easy way to calculate word-per-minute typing speed using the lines per hour I can do?  -Thanks.