Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Still using my "old" IBM keyboard purchased, I think, around 1990.

Posted By: Long-Long Time MT-1964 on 2006-01-01
In Reply to: that is what I still use. Mine looks sm - long time MQr

I totally panicked when it started going haywire & finally found a company that will repair them, have their own "clone" IBM's which aren't "too" bad, and also have the cord you were searching for.

I bought "their" clone while they repaired my original IBM, and it was pretty close to the touch of the original - but still just not the same. Then a few years ago, my son became aware of my dilema about searching for IBM keyboards -and, Geez - his company had one made by Lexmark back in their supply room - but without a cord -

If you're interested - try looking at http://pckeyboard.com/repair.html -- Repair services are through Unicomp out of KY - 1-800-777-4886, Jim Owens, Ext. 202.

I've been very happy with their service and I, personally, am surprised at what they charge. I purchased their "clone" & the cord for the IBM by Lexmark for $42.69, and their charge for repairing my original IBM was $35.44.
To, me - it's worth it!! Plus - their repair to my original didn't affect the "touch". They replaced key tops, corrected keys that were messed up, i.e., "s" key & others not working, replaced split "attached" cord - but didn't mess with my "feel".

Hate to admit how many "ergonomic" keyboards I've tried. Guess I'm just "too" old, set in my ways, & need my clicky-clack keyboard to keep my rhythm & fingers going.



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

1990

Started with one physician in the practice. Now five.


1990. Really had a great time there! nm
nm
1990 Acura Legend, hate it but can't afford anything else right now

In 1990, when I started as a MR clerk, SMOKING was allowed in Med Records...
can you imagine, and with all the charts laying around...it is so comical now to think of it...

That lasted until about 1992 I think...

That is not all that long ago really, to go from electric typewriters to smoking being practically outlawed...

they say MT will change more in the next few years, than it has in the last 100>>>>!
1990 VW Golf here, love it. Work at home, don't drive much.
x
"Old Timey" MT?

Just saw this on MT Jobs:


I don't need an "old timey" transcriptionist, I need "new age" with lots of computer experience as well as transcription experience.


Geez Louise - what is considered "old timey" and what is considered "new age"? These companies R becoming a joke.


"Old Timey"
RadGuy, at last you and I agree on something!

Jennie
"OLD TIMEY MT AND NEW AGE MT"
GET WITH THE PROGRAM PEOPLE!!
Shame on all of you!! We no longer transcribe with the help of computers, guidelines, reference books or critical thinking! Your work station should be well defined - wireless, keyboardless, your crystals should be well placed in strategic, harmonic positioning so that your loaded brain can teleport the information in real time, your aromatherapy should be adjusted to the account you are working on at the time, and you should watch your astrological forecast for maximum speed and effect! Geez ... couldn't you figure that one out?
Ripe "old" age of 53!! ...sm
Oh, boy....... I wrote a long message about my inspiration (saw friend at gym who had lost 70 lbs. and didn't recognize her) and don't know what happened to my message .....something about validating my email (which was already validated).   Anyway, don't get discouraged....just take it one day at a time and accept whatever amount you lose regardless of how small (I had weeks of only 1/2 lb. and sometimes none).   It eventually adds up.   Set small goals....I was only going to go for 20 lbs., then said 10 lbs. more, but now I am thrilled with 50!! 
We "old people" were having trouble seeing it the way it was
Don't make fun of us, someday, God willing, you'll be geriatric too.
that's not "old" w/Nixon being pres....nm

Are you asking how to copy your "old shorthand" to new HD?
.
If you're "old" enough you could go to the AARP free tax......
people at the library or wherever they are holding it in a town near you. Think you only have to be 55. I tried it this year and was very pleased. They are knowledgeable and up-to-date.
In the "old days" of dictation on vinyl belts, the quota was do to 15 minutes an hour. sm

To me, it seems realistic, but then again, each situation is different.  On account I know, I can usually do 30 minutes an hour, although being money-oriented and paid by the line, I usually gauge things by lines.  I do 250-300 lph, but those little dinky reports ARE an irritation -- no argument there -- hardly enter the header info and *poof* the dictation is over.  Would be hard to make a decent line count that way.


But ... surely your employers understand there are variations on such things.  Maybe you average 8.9 one month and 12 the next ... I would think it would even out.


Anyway, i'm into that gray zone where I know nothing about, but I wish you good luck.  To me, in the days when I was supervisor, if I knew someone was doing the best they could do, that was all that mattered to me. 


have not purchased
No have not purchased another house but am moving out of state, going to rent for 6 months to see if we like the area before buying again but wanted to move over the Christmas holidays to make it easier on the kids changing schools. I am not sure I want to buy again because am a single mom in my 50s and it is getting to hard to keep up with things that need done
I purchased one of these (sm)
laptop stands and it has been great - http://tinyurl.com/2uwhkz.  It allows me to elevate my screen, which is necessary when working with a separate keyboard in order to keep the screen at eye level and arms/wrists at proper angles.  If your chair does not have a height adjustment, you may want to consider one that does.  Stretching, of course, is important, too.  I'm thinking about getting an inversion table to help with my neck...we'll see .  I also have an elliptical which I use usually halfway through my day for around 30 minutes to exercise my legs.  If you want to do some quick exercises in the house, you may find it nice to workout with pilates DVDs.  It breaks the day up nicely.
You must have purchased them a few sizes
'cause you are really wiggin' out.
I actually purchased this last year (sm)

It's really a neat little program that acts like an alphabetized notebook where you can add entries for quick reference ... say you can't ever remember how to spell certain words, you can add those words and bring up TLRN and look up words you've added. You can create multiple notebooks with different facts/data/addresses or whatever. I found that I never used the program as I had other methods that reminded me of words, i.e., my expander, for one, and I already have tons of programs loaded and running in the background while working that the last thing I needed was another program running behind about six or seven already loaded.


I purchased an HP computer and
(per companies requirements).  The new computer does not have a serial port and therefore I am using a 9 pin to USB converter which works well with my old system but will not work with the new system.  Has anybody comes across this when purchasing a new system recently?  HP is unable to help me and so I am turning to fellow MT's. 
I also purchased an adapter...sm
Staples also carries these adapters. I had to convert to a USB port as my newer pc did not have the port I needed either.
If you only purchased the upgrade, NO. sm
If you purchased Office 2007, YES you can install it separately.


Heartland is finally purchased...

Spheris purchases Heartland Information Services.. more to come later in the week


I purchased it through Transcription Gear
express scribe thing yet. Have too much work today to fiddle much with it. I appreciate everybody's advice and help on this.
i purchased it directly at stedmans.com (nm)
//
I recently purchased the Stedman's (sm)
Medical & Surgical Equipment Words.  Can you tell me the difference between this and The Surgical Word Book?  Thanks.
Had same problem - purchased a 'hub'
store - cost about $80.  It has a serial port and additional USB ports.  Have used this for 3 years now.  Can also use it for all the peripherals you don't have enough ports for on your computer.
Has anyone ever purchased Jon Knowles' list. ...
of abbreviations for medical transcription that can be downloaded into ShortHand or IT, and if so, is it worth the $45?  I have been considering it and think it would be worthwhile but would like opinions.  TIA.
I recently purchased a 23-inch...
Phillips LCD flat screen TV to use as a computer monitor. The TV price was relatively the same as a computer monitor of the same size. Definitely go as big as you can afford...you won't be sorry!
MedQuist was recently purchased

I just purchased the ABCZ glossaries for IT sm
A few weeks ago, and I am glad I did.  It was definitely worth it.  I like that I didn't have to start over from scratch to start following a system.  I used his files and then used the workshop to convert my enteries over to the ABCZ system.  It has been a big help to me.  With 2 small kids I didn't have the time to try to figure out my own system and start creating the entries, so ABCZ was perfect for me. 
Does anyone know how to reset a DVI? I purchased one at a yard sale and *sm*
it did not come with a manual.  I am trying to use it for the first time and the dial tone comes up but it is asking for a log in ID.   I would also like to purchase a manual if anyone has one.  I do believe I can go to the DVI website and ask about purchasing one but that will not help me throughout the weekend in trying to figure out what do do now!  Assistance is greatly appreciated!
I purchased BOSE head phones
and it was the best investment I ever made. I got tired of replacing headsets. You can get BOSE earplug ones or the over the head. I have both and prefer the over the head. It is amazing what I can hear now. Just wonder what I might have missed in the past before BOSE.
I purchased Office 2003 at Amazon.com.
x
Just purchased Dirt Devil bagless in K-Mart for $50 and
dd
I purchased that book and it was useless. I think half the stuff in it was old. *sm*
My son told me that he thinks every useful thing has already been invented unless it is technology related.  Sometimes I think he is right and other times I refuse to believe that every idea has already been invented.  I am envious of the women on Oprah who are making a million dollars from a brownie recipe or an umbrella company.  Sometimes I wish I could write a novel or a children's book that would be a best seller.  I know people that sell one item on ebay such as golf clubs and are making their living doing that.  I have never been able to find a popular enough item at wholesale cost to make a living at it.  I do have an idea that I think would go over well in a shopping mall (the idea has been used before but it has never been in a shopping mall) but I do not know where to go with getting it past an idea.  My biggest drawback is that I have no imagination and no real talent other than I am a hard worker and have moral values. 
Thanks. I purchased a three way plug last night and it appears to be working and yes for the-sm
poster above it does have a filter on it but the way it plugs in I needed the extra plug so I could still be connected to the computer for my fax to work.  Thanks again for the help. 
I've purchased them at both Radio Shack and on Ebay. sm

If I remember correctly, they're called earbud cushions. 


A variety of them can be purchased online here:


http://www.transcriptiongear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=EARCUSH


Power supplies are Dell proprietary and must be purchased from
power supply is the same way.  I have 3 Dell laptops and a Dell PC and there are indeed a number of items that are proprietary.  However, I love all of my Dell products and wouldn't trade them for anything.
It is my guess you are the same person who posted a few weeks ago that MQ had been purchased. Nothi
it is my guess nothing will come of this.
don't need to depreciate computers anymore. take the deduction in the year purchased
x
I've purchased one laptop and one desktop system used/refurbished, sm
...both from that place I mentioned, and you wouldn't know them from used. I used the laptop happily for many years (still have it, though it's quite out of date now), and the PC is going on it's 2nd year with no problems. You do have to be careful when buying used, but if you're dealing with a reputable site that has a good rep, it's usually not a problem at all and the savings can be tremendous.
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

I don't have kids, but my Mom was from the "old school," and still had everyone, kids inclu

call her by her first name.  The little neighbor girl next door from the time she could speak called her Aggie (my mom's first name), and they were great buddies until the day my mom pased away. 


I don't think there really is much in a name, but more in the respect you are given and the way you are treated.   Personally, I kind of cringe inside when someone calls me Ms. Anything or God forbid, "maam" (makes me feel like Methuselah!) ... I'm always just plain Merrie.  :-)


But, as someone pointed out, to each his own.  If you want to be addressed a certain way, you have that right, and people should respect that.  I'm glad you corrected the child ... hope it "sticks."    


Last year I purchased a Lasko 30" tall digital ceramic pedestal heater with remote for under (sm)
$80.00 at Home Depot.  Features include: Automatic temperature control, oscillate, timer, and high (1500W) and low (900W) power settings.  Assembling the base took less than 5 minutes. Kept me very warm last winter, and plan on purchasing another one for my upstairs. Cut down on my gas heating bill significantly. Great buy.
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