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

I just bought a laptop Dell E1505. Your biggest obstacle is the foot pedal as it's a 9-pin serial

Posted By: Escriptionist2 on 2007-07-13
In Reply to: for those EditScript users (sm) - Anon

port and NO newer computers have them anymore, especially laptops. Also, Escription is not compatible with Windows Vista which also most newer computers come with. I needed a laptop with Windows XP so I went onto Dell and they can "customize" one for you with the XP on it or you can do what I did and 400 dollars cheaper and get it from Ebay. The only thing I noticed was that the new one I got on ebay didnt have Word on it and I had to purchase Word 2003 for that as Word 2007 also is not compatible. Over the last 3 years, I have tried multiple adapters to get the foot pedal to work and finally used one that Escription recommends ..the Dynex DB9 model. I also got it on Ebay for $10 or they can be bought at like Best Buy but they are around $35 I think. There are a few obstacles with Escription and laptops etc.but since I like to travel, I finally got it worked out. I also plug in another keyboard as the laptop one is hard to type on and I like my ergonometer one. Good luck


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

Foot Pedal????
Can someone tell me which foot pedal I should get, where to get one and how can I find the most inexpensive!!!???  Thanks!!
foot pedal

Does anyone know the best place to buy equipment such as a foot pedal?  I have a dictaphone with a foot pedal is that the same as this other foot pedal?


Thanks for your reply!


Barb


where can I get a foot pedal???
thanks in advance!
Foot pedal
What type of foot pedal are you looking for?  What type of connection - USB or does it have pins?
Foot Pedal Question
Does anyone know why a company would want a transcriptionist to use a serial foot pedal instead of a USB foot pedal?
Alternative to foot pedal
I also can't use a foot pedal due to MS. I went to Career Step and used the keyboard to start and stop tapes. I don't remember what the keys were re CS but now I work for Medquist and use control-space to start and stop tapes. Good luck with the course. RM
Let's say I have the foot pedal and software....sm
...how much, if anything, would you charge me?
They are different kinds of foot pedal. The ones
generally mentioned here hook to your computer, not to a C-phone and they are not interchangeable. 
tendinitis from foot pedal
Maybe your chair is too high. Try lowering your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor then you won't have to bend the front of your foot so much in order to push down on the pedal.
I can't operate a foot pedal due to disability is there another way of doing this?

Hi


Dur to spina bifida I can't operate any foot pedal devices. I have been interested in doing the MT course for awhile but was told I could not beacuse of the foot device.  I would like to know if ther is a way around this and if so does  anyone know of a good online school to take the course. Thanks Lindie


Andrews provides the foot pedal and software to run it
Andrews provides the foot pedal and software to run it. They also teach macro or expanders.
Just received a foot pedal that I need for a job I will be starting...sm

Everyone starting on this new account I was hired for need a Boomerang foot pedal so my recruiter sent them out.  I told her that since I work on my laptop I needed a USB but she never responded.  When I opened the package it has a 15-pin port.  I did a search and it seems that is what is available.  Is there an adapter so I may fix this problem.  Otherwise, I'm not sure what can be done except letting them know I won't be able to take the position.


Thanks for the help in advance.


 


Universal digital foot pedal
Starting out... looking for a universal digital foot pedal that i can afford!
Looking to buy .wav player foot pedal that is compatible with PC-DART
Any suggestions?
Tendonitis in ankle from foot pedal usage
I was so excited to find my first MT job in late February.  I noticed right away that my feet would swell a bit after sitting at my desk working for extended periods of time.  I just attributed this to sitting to much and didn't think much of it, because if would go away once I got up and moving.  Over the last week, my ankles have begun swelling to the point of pain, and the pain is very similar to what I have experienced with ankle sprains in the past.  I have been icing it, and this brings the swelling down.  The only activity that induces this pain/swelling is transcription.  It now appears that I have developed tendonitis from the awkward position necessary for foot pedal usage.  Great!  Am I the only one with this problem?  Does anyone have any ideas for dealing with this.  Not using the foot pedal is not an option.  I have tried turning the pedal around backwards to force myself to move my ankle in a different fashion.  This morning I am trying using my heel without the use of the ankle.  The is terrible.  I'd appreciate any advice anyone could give me.  Thank you.
medical transcription foot pedal Delhi India
For Medical Transcription Foot Pedal
http://medicaltranscriptionfootpedal.blogspot.com
Or Call +91-9212521957 Shashi Bhushan
Thank You
A USB foot pedal would be good to have. You can download Express Scribe for free to take tests. nm
s
Your first obstacle before
pay rate will be getting your foot in the door as a new graduate.  I don't mean to be rude or discouraging, but it's not a quick thing.  Be prepared to work your butt off the first year at what might be below min wage just to prove yourself.  Once you have experience, the pay still isn't what you may be envisioning.  You can check out the job board and see for yourself - even with experience it varies greatly - anywhere from 0.07 -.085 cpl as the norm, possibly a bit higher with some companies, but not much and only with years more experience.  MT really doesn't pay what it should and I don't really see that changing anytime soon.
Biggest thing ESLs do is put accent on the wrong syllable.
Like "sub SEE quent lee" instead of the way most people say it, "sub see QUENT lee"

Because of the pronunciation of "diabetes" my doctor says the patient is "dia BEET ic" instead of diabetic.

Remembering this can often help you figure out a word - and you'll probably laugh when you do!
Dell XP
You can get a Dell with XP. Saw on the website that it will be loaded with Vista but you can transition into Vista when ready. I love my Inspiron 1520. May want to check out the refurbished ones too.
Dell Inspiron
I love my Inspiron 6000. Runs on XP Home. I haven't had any issues. Battery life is about `1.5-2 hours when fully charged. Screen size is 15.4" with a widescreen. DVD player and memory card slot are standard features.
Check out Dell Refurbished.
I bought one from Dell Outlet, a refurbished one for half price what new Inspiron costs. They have different categories, but they provide you one year guarantee and all the buzz etc. The used laptop they will provide you is never used for more than 3 days.

I don't mind a factory refurbished warranted laptop if I can save upto 50% for a laptop like Dell.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&lob=INSP&MODEL_DESC=Inspiron%201525&s=dfh
I bought a 15-pin to USB at Radioshack. They are about $8, I think
x
I bought replacement headphones
for an Olympus recorder.  You hardly notice those little things.  I can wear them all day with no problem, and they were pretty cheap (around $12).
when I bought my computer last fall
it came with Vista. Nothing came with XP anymore but I had to have it. (Now Dell is getting smart and selling computers with XP again.) We just put a copy of XP on. We always have the option to restart and boot Vista. You don't have to dump it. This was a huge headache, though, because we had to download a bunch of other drivers for sound, video, etc., and I would recommend just getting a computer with XP. We really like our Dell computer.
They recently bought out a company that was in TN.
Webmedx is a well known company.  Check the archives on the company board for lots of information. 
Laptop ok to use?
I'm purchasing another computer system so I don't have to share with my kids. I'd like a laptop so I have some flexibility to move around (so I can work in my room when the kids are awake and dh is home, but work downstairs at night if dh is asleep).

How feasible is that? Is it comfortable? What accessories would you recommend to make it easier? Does anyone use a regular keyboard with it for comfort?

Or should I just get a desktop?

Thanks!
Dawn K.
MT on a laptop
I've been transcribing on a laptop for 5 years, and it's no different from doing anything else on a laptop. Going from desktop to laptop for all your tasks requires an adjustment period just because the keyboard is compact. The great thing is, you can take your work with you anywhere there is secure internet access. :)
Laptop

Hi,


I posted a note about laptops and thank you so much for all your help.  My ? now is what exactly do you need on a laptop for Mt.  What do you look for.  I see on Tiger Direct they are several, someone said Lenovo xp was good. I never owned a laptop before thats why all the ?s.


Thanks you,


Barb


You want everything on a laptop that you

would want on a desk top.  Most laptops know only have USB ports, no serial ports or game ports, but if you need those you can get adapters.   You want a minimum of two high-speed USB connections, preferably 4.  You can buy USB hubs rather cheaply if you need more than that.   You want a bunch of RAM, not a Celeron processor.  If you are just using for work you don't need a huge hard drive and anything you bought off the shelf would have plenty.  


You want XP and not Vista.


laptop
I just bought one. It has Vista.  The company I work for is compatable with Vista.  If you are working for someone now ask them if it will work with Vista.
laptop
You may also want to find out from your employer what specifications are necessary to get the job done correctly.  A lot of companies do not want Vista, MS Works or Word.  I just bought a new desktop for my new job, and had to take off a lot of the softward that came with the computer becuase it was not compatible with the employer's software package.  It may depend on a lot of things.  Just ask for a list of specifications needed for a computer, and you may not have to pay as much if you can leave off certain software and packages off the computer. 
Dawn, regarding a laptop...

there has been a lot of discussion on the main board about laptops, if you do a search there you will find helpful information I'm sure.


I use a laptop for travel and it works for me.  I use a wireless keyboard and mouse as I could never make any $$ using a laptop keyboard.


As for reference books and carrying them to different places in your home, I have all my reference books on CD and have them installed on both my desktop and my laptop.  I very rarely use an actual book for reference anymore.  Even the BOS II is on CD and, for me, it is much easier and faster to reference than paging through a book.


BUT, if you are an IC, for IRS purposes, you would have to have a designated office.  If you are an employee, then it probably wouldn't matter except maybe to your company (some hospitals want to make sure an employee has an ergonomically correct work space and a hospital I once worked for went to the employee's home to check it out).


Good luck to you - where ever you end up working! 


laptop/Escription
I bought an old Toshiba Tecra 8100 from ebay for around $300 and had to purchase Word (got 2000 for $70). My foot pedal($15 Ebay) works fine as this is an old laptop and has the 9 pin serial port. Sometimes you have to buy the old stuff to get things to work. Everything now is Windows Vista and until our software catches up I am saving my money for the better equipment, maybe a year from now.
Transcribing on a laptop

Has anyone transcribed on a lap?  Is it better or worse than desktop?


Thanks for your reply!


 


tt


working from laptop
You can either tether from your cell phone or get a wireless card that goes into your computer.  This is secure.  If you use the hotel wireless it might not be.  The teathering is about 60 dollars a month and it is monthly.  The lap top card is the same price but it requires a 2 year contract, at least that was the last time I checked.  Tethering actually works the best for me.  You can actually use it riding in a car at 80 miles per hour if you are in range of cell coverage whereas the laptop card drops the signal. 
I take my laptop and work as I travel. nm

nm


What kind of Laptop is good to buy

Looking at a laptop on E-bay.  What is the best choice?


Thanks,


Barb


Ideal laptop for transcribing?
Hi everyone,

I'm about to graduate and would like to get a laptop for transcribing. Does anyone know of a particular brand/make that would be good for a transcriptionist?

Thanks!!
I may have one that I bought a while back. Will check tonight and get back to you.
nm
I wouldn't buy a laptop for ergonomic reasons...sm
the keyboard is very small and it's almost impossible to get it set up at the correct height. Note their keyboards seem to be set forward into the laptop also and there's no wrist rest. If you are going to be putting in 6 hours a day, you better make darn sure you have all the ergonomics in place, including a really good chair. Otherwise, your body will pay. Also don't forget, you will have to either a C-phone hooked up where-ever you are working or more likely you will be using a .wav player. So are you planning to have the footpedal and headset plugged into your laptop too along with every thing else? That ought to drain your battery in no time. If you have the picture of typing poolside on a sunny day, forget it.
I have worked exclusively on a laptop for nearly 6 years.

I have traveled through 34 states and Mexico and worked the whole time.  I have sat by the pool many days while my children swam.  I have sat out on my deck on a pretty day.   When space allows I use an external keyboard, but it only takes me a few minutes to readjust to the laptop keyboard when needed.   I obviously use a wav player for my work.   I have a bus card, a foot pedal, my earphones plugged in and sometimes my keyboard and I don't notice a significant difference in the drain on my battery whether I have these attached or not.  If your battery is running low that quickly you need a new battery.   I do not have an external mouse but use a touch pad.  I find that a mouse is necessary if you are using an external keyboard, becauase your computer will be elevated and it will create a strain on your wrist to use the touch pad.


inputs on buying a laptop computer to use for work

I am a newbie and looking into buying a laptop computer to use for work.  I would like to know if that is okay.  The reason that I wanted a laptop computer for work is because I wanted to be still working wherever I maybe even if I am not at home.  Is that possible? If it's okay, what laptop computers do you recommend?


Put the money towards good education, not an unnecessary laptop.
It should tell you something that a school offers a "free" laptop to get students to sign up. List how many good things and how many bad things you have heard about Andrews and M-TEC. Then make the same list for Allied and TRS. There's your answer.
foot pedals

I had that problem with the Infinity foot pedal, mine was IN-USB-0 and when I switched to IN-USB-1 foot pedal, it worked and I didn't have to pay for a wav player.  They look the same exactly except for this one little difference on the back of the pedals.  Look on the back of your pedal and see what it says--might need IN-USB-1 if you have an infinity pedal.


I am new, and I would take it. I wish I could get my foot in the door like that.

Foot in the door
What kind of accuracy do you have? 95% of what? Don't want to start a fight with anyone else, but I don't care who you are, where you are from, if you can type my account with great accuracy, i'll hire anyone. American doc, but challenging.
Getting foot in the door...

I like to think that I'm keeping my expectations realistic.  As far as money goes, I'm actually more interested in getting my foot in the door than how much I make.  To be honest, no I didn't look into several schools before taking the course I did.  Which I do hope does not come back to bite me.  I did the At-Home Professions course which, by reading the posts on this site, isn't one of the best schools.  But it did teach me a lot of what you said.  I do know that even the most experienced Transcriptionist learns new things every day, has to research terms, etc.  I also did a lot of work with foreign dialect, and I'll be honest its not my favorite.  But it taught me to listen.


I will post my resume on this site.  I'll also contact local doctors in my area.  I am hoping that because my expectations are low, that I'll find what I'm seeking.  I guess what I'm worried about most is that people won't be willing to give me a try.  They'd be surprised to find how well I can do.  I just need to be given the chance.


Oh and as for my grade, that's just what they refered to my grade as, a GPA.  But whether its a GPA or whatnot, it still reflects that I have a good grasp on the material.  At least that's what I get out of it!


Thanks again. 


Jenn


can you switch off one foot to the other?
Prop up one foot while using the other. Not everybody can do this. may not help that much anyway
The only way I got my foot in the door was to
work inhouse for a couple of years to get experience.
Wav pedal
I was just offered a position for MT and I must purchase a wav pedal.  I am not really sure what that is.  Is it just a foot pedal that has a USB port? I won't need to buy a wav player will I? I expect to pay anywhere from $60-$90 for one. Is that about the right price? Any input will be of the greatest assistance.  Thanks