Question for all who type on a Word-based platform.

• Question for all who type on a Word-based platform. - MSMT
  • Just a thought... - pdqtrans
  • I use autocorrect with Extext. Just have to check the replace sm - ltmt
  • What about autocorrect - just an idea
    • That's the way you do it. I can't get anything in either autocorrect or autotext to stay put. - MSMT
      • Sorry.. I am not familiar w/ExText - just an idea
        • ExText does have its own program. - Me
  • I'm not sure, but you might - Me
  • Why not add them to your expansion software with different endings? Like - g for ing, y for ly, d for ed, etc. nm??

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immediately following the slash and have it expand.  For example if I needed to transcribe mass/sebaceous cyst, is there a way to use my expanded sebaceous cyst without having to back space after I type the slash mark?  TIA

I am starting with All-Type soon, and the handbook says that their platform works with any Word-based expander.  That's all fine and good, but I have never used one.  I'm a PRD+ girl from the old WP51 days, and currently work in Bayscribe, and the Expander in it is a lot like PRD.  Are any of the Word-based Expanders like that?  I tried Instant Text once and hated it.  I don't want popup windows and such.  I like it to be simple, like PRD ... enter copdd and get chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.  Are any like that?

Thanks for your help!  

nm

I've never worked on Dolby (???) but a local hospital I'm talking to is using it with Word as their word processor.  The MTs who work there tell me they still have to write down all the job numbers and dates.  Back in the old days (after the IBM Selectric days LOL) we used Word Perfect and would make macros that would make an electronic log for us.  Anyone know how to do this in Word or within a Dolby system?

Thanks!

I have been applying for and training for jobs for weeks now.  I have been accepted by a number of top companies, but I have found their word Expanders to be a big problem.  I have trained on a couple of sites already and ended up turning them down because of this. 

By now I have thousands of entries into MS Word/Smartype, and if I have to start with a new Expander without the ability to import my words, phrases, templates, etc., from Smartype, I just cannot afford the time for the learning curve. 

The technical aspect of transcription has always been my weak point, so this is perhaps a bigger issue with me than it would be with others. 

Right now I am willing to take even a mediocre line rate, providing it is an employee position with benefits and it is in MS Word so I would have some hope of making a living. 

Is there any hope for me?  Does anybody have any good companies to recommend who work in MS Word? 

We are at the point of losing our house and land.  This is serious! 

nm

Mine is "initiated."  It makes me nuts.  In 20 years, I have never typed that word correctly and I keep forgetting the expansions I develop for it.

What are your least favorite terms to type?

first letter in the next word is capped.   There is no period so don't know why it caps.  Anyone know how to fix it. I'm new to ShortHand and I really HATE it.   My company offers a short class in it, but they want me to have more experience with it before I take the class. 

I have never tested my speed using my Expander and have no idea how many WPM I type.  I became a certified master typist last year at over 100 WPM without my expander.  I've been doing this for six years.

I'm really curious what the average is with an expander.  TIA.

things to know on doing tapes from an office?  Is it best just to give them a disk and let them print it out at the office like they want to? 

Anybody doing an acct like this?  Thanks.

If a MTSO advertises that the MT works in MS Word and sends dictation by FTP, does this usually mean there will be no demographic/doctor database and the demographics will not be autopopulated?

I got into a mess with a small company (got out real quickly too).  I was required to print out daily email copies of the doctors' office patient schedules (which were barely legible) and type in all information.  I spent more time hunting for the correct patient through pages and pages of these schedules.  Then I had about 25 pages worth of doctor's names that I would have to go through to find the attending, referring, etc.  A total waste of time as I didn’t get paid for that. 

I wish MTSO would give more information as to what platform they use (if any).  Proprietary software is such a generic, totally useless description.  Would they buy a new car that listed, "Car has gasoline operated motor?" 

And for Pete's sakes, why so secretive about the pay?  Give a ballpark figure.  Just say, pay is between 7-12 cpl depending on skill, testing, etc. Tell me if you pay for spaces, headers, etc.  It would save them time because I wouldn’t even apply for a 7 cpl job. 

Before I spend an hour or two testing, I need more information from a company to be sure it is compatible for my needs.  If the MTSO would spend a little time on their website detailing their platform, how they send/receive files, pay rates,  how line rate is determined (spaces/no spaces) employee/IC/SE status, minimal line count, whether work pools consist of 100s of doctors, or smaller pools with 25-50 doctors etc.   Having all this information on their website would save them time and the MTs time.   Phoenix Medcom has a really good layout describing pretty much everything an MT would want to know before testing with them.  I am just tired of testing with a company and then finding out the job wasn’t exactly suited to my needs. 

I've been working for MTSOs for years now, using their templates which sometimes cause productivity problems (macro issues, etc). I'm wondering if productivity is increased when working on a structured platform, such as one that a national company provides for its transcriptionists?  I've never used a platform, but it would seem that all one needs to do is straight type onto the screen and the platform program takes care of margins, page breaks, etc?

Any thoughts (as well as companies who are hiring who use platforms) would be appreciated.  Thanks