What platform do you use? I know thus far I havent been able to use the laptop for one of my jobs be

• Traveling MT- I need you! - countrymt
  • I'm not Wandering MT, but I have posted - TravelingMT
  • Are you looking for me?? - WanderingMT
    • Okay..I'm a.k.a. WanderingMT. Either way, I'm a traveling, working woman LOL - TravelingMT
      • I just got a new laptop and - countrymt
        • Must be wrong traveling MT. I dont use another monitor if I'm using my laptop. I use another keyb - TravelingMT
          • LOL-guess I will just stick - countrymt
            • What platform do you use? I know thus far I havent been able to use the laptop for one of my jobs be - TravelingMT

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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

I WOULD USE A LAPTOP. THIS CONDITION HAS TAKEN MY WHOLE LIFE FROM ME. MY JOB , MY INDEPENDENCE, BUT I REFUSE TO LET IT GET ME DOWN ALL THE WAY. AT HOME YOU ARE ABLE TO CHANGE POSITIONS OFTEN, GET UP AND WALK AROUND, SIT IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, LAY DOWN IF NEED BE. MY DAUGHTERS ARE NOT USED TO DOING WITHOUT AND I DO NOT INTEND FOR THEM TO START NOW.  ANY POSITIVE HELP IS MUCH NEEDED, BUT I GUESS YOU CAN KEEP THE BAD TO YOURSELF. MAYBE I JUST DONT WANT TO FEEL LIKE THERES NOTHING I CAN DO. MAYBE I DONT WANT TO GIVE UP AND FILE FOR DISABILTY JUST YET. ANY HELPFUL ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANGELA LEE LPN

I would never have a big computer again!  I have worked on DocQScribe and other internet platforms and never had any problems. Also have BellSouth DSL. My computer is a Dell Inspiron. If any disasters strike here that I can see coming will load the pets some clothes and the Dell and take off.  Good luck getting put back together!

Am in the market for a laptop and looking for suggestions.  Thanks.

an HP Pavilion and I love it -  one thing to be sure of is that you get one with a good big screen or a port where you can connect our monitor, and be sure it has a port for your keyboard (USB if you have that kind of keyboard).  You'll never be able to do any good at MTing with the tiny keyboard that a laptop has.  I made a big mistake by buying one without a floppy drive, but it's not hard to get an exernal floppy drive (ask me how I know) and costs about $50.  As for the internal stuff ie RAM, hard drive, that's in pretty much the same ballpark as a desk top, get as much as you can possibly afford. 

I also would be curious as to how this would be done.  How do you get your voice files?  How do you use a foot pedal?  My husband drives semi and this sure would be nice for going with him on long runs. 

Anybody use a laptop for MT work?  Is is pretty reliable when you are using wireless?  I assume you have to have an electrical output for the foot pedal.  Any info would be appreciated.  Thanks!

I use a laptop for work and had only had a few times whem my wireless network card has gone out for one reason or another.  It's a little slow, I would say somewhere between dial-up and the slowest DSL/cable connection.  The only electrical outlet that I use is the one to plug mjy laptop into. I have a USB foot pedal and that just plugs into the USB port at the side of the computer.

One thing that I would DEFIINITELY check on first though is making sure that the software that you use supports a wireless connection.  One of the companies that I work for, I have no problems using my wireless.  However, with the other company, I still have to use my dial up connection to download my files as their particular software does not work with a wireless connection.

Hope this helps.

I don't know everything about computers, but I will just throw out a suggestion to you...do you have an (I think its called) an ethernet card in your lap top, and the place that you took you laptop to...did they have a wireless router so that your computer could get the signal from the router in order to get online.....A lot of people think that just because they have a laptop, that they can get online anywhere...I'm sure you know this, but your laptop has to have the card and the place you are at has to be giving out a signal in order for you to get on, other than that I don't understand why it would not work...it should have?  Let me know what you find out if you don't mind becasue I am considering getting a laptop so that I can take my work with me when I want to be away from my home for a few days!

Thanks!

Is there anyplace selling new laptop/notebooks with XP instead of Vista?

Thanks

There may be some adjustment, but it really isn't difficult.   You might have to move the pedal around to find where it is most comfortable.  If you're short like me you might need to put something under the pedal to get good enough pressure on the pedal.  The hardest part for me working in the car is that because I'm so short I don't have much lap to hold by laptop.   Some SUVs/trucks have armrests and they may a kidney-shaped desk that you can lap on top of the arms and work, which is nice.  It folds in half when not in use, so you don't have this huge thing to deal with. 

I went to Las Vegas two weeks ago. I was able to get internet service. The hotel where we stayed gave me a 1-800 number and it only cost me $30.00 for five days of interenet service.