Medicine transcription

Author

IT question

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

Sheila,

I've got a few IT questions ...

1. How are you able to keep an eye on what you're typing *and* on the
options that pop up on the bottom of the screen. Wouldn't that make you
woozy, or is something you get used to over time?

2. Don't you find the program slows you down, 'cause the options pop up and
you have to read over each and every one of them before you make a choice?

3. Can you run a glossary (have IT create phrases from documents you have),
and then convert them over to a text document for off-line review?

4. Why do you prefer IT over other expanders, and how long did it take for
you to get up to a decent production level?

5. How long have you been using IT, and about what percentage of the
abbreviations have you memorized (rote)?

14tonks

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:S1TMd.36597$BQ2.10462@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> Sheila,
>
> I've got a few IT questions ...
>
> 1. How are you able to keep an eye on what you're typing *and* on the
> options that pop up on the bottom of the screen. Wouldn't that make you
> woozy, or is something you get used to over time?
>

Some people just can't get used to a bottom-of-the-screen advisory, others
adjust fairly quickly. It's one of the things that determines which
expander you are happiest with. I typed procedure logs for years with my
eyes firmly fixed on an osilloscope pressure and ECG display plus a remote
viewer for the fluoroscope image positoned above them. I've also typed a lot
from copy in my life as well as from dictation, and you don't focus on your
typing line when typing from copy. Split visual attention is a learned art,
but most people can eventually master it.

> 2. Don't you find the program slows you down, 'cause the options pop up
and
> you have to read over each and every one of them before you make a choice?
>

You don't really read over each and every one, any more than you sound out
every letter of a word after you have learned to read. You do it more with
pattern recognition

> 3. Can you run a glossary (have IT create phrases from documents you
have),
> and then convert them over to a text document for off-line review?
>

Yes. An IT glossary is a text document.

> 4. Why do you prefer IT over other expanders, and how long did it take
for
> you to get up to a decent production level?
>

Glossary compilation, continuations, separate marker keys for phrases (fixed
shorts) and words (free form shorts). Took me about a week to get
comfortable with the program and maybe a month to adjust to it and tune it
enough to use it full time with improved production over AutoCorrect.

I actually liked the macro, fill-in-the-blank, and reference capabilities of
Shorthand better when I was shopping, and still do. Overall, though, I
thought that IT was better designed for the purely expander part of
productivity. Now I've added ActiveWords to IT, I think I am closer to
having the best of both worlds. I still would like to see someone take the
best features of IT and the best featueres of Shorthand and put them
together in one piece of software, though.

> 5. How long have you been using IT, and about what percentage of the
> abbreviations have you memorized (rote)?
>

A couple of years, and I have no idea. You don't really memorize most of
your shorts so much as you memorize your system, and then the letters for
what you want just come out of your fingers automatically. Expend most of
your time and energy at the beginning setting up a good consistent
abbreviation system that works for you, with minimal duplication of shorts,
and you will get much further with an expander than loading and trying to
memorize huge numbers of random abbreviations.
--

Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

Su

I can't speak to IT, but the words coming up on bottom of screen is
what Smartype does to. It DOES take some getting used to, and I can't
explain how I deal with it, but it isn't an issue. You will have to
slow down to start with these type programs, at least more so than with
the basic expanders. Part of it is a system. I have no idea how IT sets
up words, but in ST I had to spend considerable time putting the words
in order so that when I see the root word come up, I know hitting 1 is
"s" ending, 2 "ed" 3 "ing" 4"tion or ment" etc. Then sometimes phrases
are a matter of memorizing the selections.

All I know is that I could not work w/o Smartype. No way. I have used
it so long I couldn't type the words as I don't have to remember how to
spell them. Guess that makes me a bad MT <BG>

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

.

DNS certainly requires far more investment in time than that to get it
working efficiently and accurately.

ed

Karen C

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:zYUMd.36655$BQ2.35422@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> I tried ST and after taking 30 minutes to do a report I could normally
have
> transcribed in 8 minutes, I said, "That's it ... I'm packing up the CD and
> returning it." I know you have to be patient with the program, but I can't
> slow myself down to 4-5 pages an hour. I could make more flipping burger
at
> Micky Dees.

You really have to give it a lot longer than 30 minutes. I think it took me
about six weeks to get to the point to where I felt ST was worth making the
change. I think I went about half my normal speed. But then, one day,
seems as if all of a sudden, you realize you're breezing right along at a
good clip.

--
Karen C./KY

Anne Vasquez

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

It took me about 2 weeks to get reasonably comfortable with ST. I
agree, though, that at first I thought it would be impossible.

Anne

Su wrote:

> I tried ST and after taking 30 minutes to do a report I could normally have
> transcribed in 8 minutes, I said, "That's it ... I'm packing up the CD and
> returning it." I know you have to be patient with the program, but I can't
> slow myself down to 4-5 pages an hour. I could make more flipping burger at
> Micky Dees.
>
>
>
> <RaeMorrill@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1107562227.801385.131230@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

You have to be patient for more than 30 minutes

.

DNS certainly requires far more investment in time than that to get it
working efficiently and accurately.

ed >>

You know if I agree with Ed, there's something there. I never really
have tracked production to compare to no expander, Flash, to ST, etc. I
just know I NEVER want to have to start from scratch with an expander
again!

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:36ikueF4ugq2aU1@individual.net...
> "Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:zYUMd.36655$BQ2.35422@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
>
> You have to be patient for more than 30 minutes

.

Then how do yous guys deal with the learning curve. Do you work 14-16 hours
a day to keep up production?

> DNS certainly requires far more investment in time than that to get it
> working efficiently and accurately.

For me, it was just setting things up - creating word lists and categorizing
reports according to specialty, and then importing that information into
DNS. That's a full weekend by itself. But once that's done, you never have
to do it again. After that, creating a new user takes a couple of hours.
From there, the training comes with the mistakes. --- Keep in mind we're
dealing with two separate products: you've got ver 7.3 Preferred and I've
got ver 8 Medical Suite.

With ST, it's constant, minute by minute and hour by hour, for weeks on end.
I found myself typing *maybe* 10 wpm per minute. It was an issue of seeing
things on the screen and with each letter asking myself "Should I tap the
space bar now or not?" There are some things my mind can register very
quickly, but ST was not one of them.

I keep flipping and flopping with the expanders. ST is obviously not going
to work for me. I bought the book "When the Name of the Game is Keystrokes."
and there's potential, if I'm willing and able to learn the different
systems, which means stopping what I'm currently doing and learning a
different method. Also, there's still an issue of memorization - okay now,
what did I make as a phrase? The patient was taken ... The patient was
transferred ... Did I choose tpwta and tpwt or tpwt and tpwtr? The amount of
time it takes for me to figure things out, it's just as easy to type it.

And then there's IT. I like the premise of it reading documents and creating
abbreviations .. without knowing if I made an abbreviation for something,
how am I supposed to know when to use one. How does the system know when I'm
going to type "anterior cruciate ligament" ... enough to present "acl" as an
option for me? So, it seems to me that it still all boils down to
memorization, which I've never been very good at.

Tiz a puzzlement!

That's why DNS has been a worthwhile investment for me. There's very little
to remember, and it's always the same thing over and over again. Select
That. Correct That. (etc).

But it would still be nice to use something beyond AutoCorrect on occasion.

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

I was agreeing with Ed that it took you time to learn to be "fluent"
with DNS. IOW, if you're interested in IT or how long it takes to use,
the same thing applies. You can't maximize its efficiency overnight.
I've never used IT and likely never will as I'll be unlikely to leave
my WP and Smartype, but I do know that ST is similar in that you have
to keep an eye on something other than the line you're typing at the
moment and that it did take me time and slow me down to start. Flash
Forward, on the other hand, I found to have almost a zero learning
curve. Only time it took was adding the words.

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

The problem with ST (and maybe IT) is that there are words already in
there and if you're not careful they will go in when you didn't mean
them to. Programs like Flash come with only a very few and otherwise
you make your own. But the up side is you never have to look up an odd
spelling again. If you enter them you don't have to worry about if it
is Drugname-XR or Drugname XR and spend time double checking in your
reference books

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

Jeannie Wilson

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

RaeMorrill@aol.com wrote here for all to
seenews:1107620225.787924.168980@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> The problem with ST (and maybe IT) is that there are words already in
> there and if you're not careful they will go in when you didn't mean
> them to.

I still have never used ST, IT, FF, or any other expander type program. I
use autocorrects and autotexts in Word and between that and macros my
production is through the roof. I don't want to mess with what works, so I
can certainly see why someone else wouldn't. DNS on the other hand, is
something that could make it possible for me to continue to work if I were
to break a hand/finger/arm/etc. I would think that alone would warrant the
investment in time as it will keep you working when you normally wouldn't
be able to. I don't see where an expander type program would do that. Of
course, maybe I am missing something as I haven't used any.

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:AS1Nd.37245$BQ2.3503@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36ikueF4ugq2aU1@individual.net...
>
> Then how do yous guys deal with the learning curve. Do you work 14-16
> hours a day to keep up production?
>

My only experience with expanders, thus far, has been with Shorthand. At
first, I just set up a few abbreviations for commonly used words and really
didn't try to actively memorize them. My system is to, whenever possible,
use the first two or three letters of the word or phrase.

In Shorthand, when you are typing and you type the abbreviation, a little
window pops up to alert you, so I just typed away as I usually did and
allowed the program to gradually "teach" me the few abbreviations I had
entered. Doing it this way really didn't slow me down at all, and I just
added more and more abbreviations as I memorized the older ones that the
program alerted me to.

>
>
> For me, it was just setting things up - creating word lists and
> categorizing reports according to specialty, and then importing that
> information into DNS. That's a full weekend by itself. But once that's
> done, you never have to do it again. After that, creating a new user takes
> a couple of hours. From there, the training comes with the mistakes. ---
> Keep in mind we're dealing with two separate products: you've got ver 7.3
> Preferred and I've got ver 8 Medical Suite.
>
> With ST, it's constant, minute by minute and hour by hour, for weeks on
> end. I found myself typing *maybe* 10 wpm per minute. It was an issue of
> seeing things on the screen and with each letter asking myself "Should I
> tap the space bar now or not?" There are some things my mind can register
> very quickly, but ST was not one of them.

Sure, we all learn some things more easily than others, and what comes easy
to one does not necessarily come easily to someone else, but I really could
not imagine working without a word expander. I'm glad I expended the
initial effort. I'm also very glad I expended the initial effort to get DNS
working well. Doing that was actually quite fun, but then I enjoy playing
with software and computers. What I consider fun might be drudgery to
someone else.
>
> I keep flipping and flopping with the expanders. ST is obviously not going
> to work for me. I bought the book "When the Name of the Game is
> Keystrokes." and there's potential, if I'm willing and able to learn the
> different systems, which means stopping what I'm currently doing and
> learning a different method. Also, there's still an issue of
> memorization - okay now, what did I make as a phrase? The patient was
> taken ... The patient was transferred ... Did I choose tpwta and tpwt or
> tpwt and tpwtr? The amount of time it takes for me to figure things out,
> it's just as easy to type it.
>
> And then there's IT. I like the premise of it reading documents and
> creating abbreviations .. without knowing if I made an abbreviation for
> something, how am I supposed to know when to use one. How does the system
> know when I'm going to type "anterior cruciate ligament" ... enough to
> present "acl" as an option for me? So, it seems to me that it still all
> boils down to memorization, which I've never been very good at.
>
> Tiz a puzzlement!

All I can say is that the more you use it, the easier it gets, and after
enough repetition, don't really have to "actively" try to recall anything,
it just becomes sort of automatic.

> That's why DNS has been a worthwhile investment for me. There's very
> little to remember, and it's always the same thing over and over again.
> Select That. Correct That. (etc).
>
> But it would still be nice to use something beyond AutoCorrect on
> occasion.

I would encourage you to give it a chance and maybe try a few different ones
until you find one you like. Shorthand offers a free trial, and so do a
couple of others, I believe.

For me, it's not just about productivity and efficiency, although that is
very important to me. It's also about saving my hands.

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lZ1Nd.37247$BQ2.19459@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> You're agreeing with Ed on investment of time in DNS ... but how much
> experience do you have with using the product. I think I've got more than
> anymore ... I go back around 6 years, remember? Version 3. The web site -
> VT for MT?
>
> Bottom line: For medical reports - ver 8 Medical Suite is far more
> accurate than ver 7.3 Preferred. That's the main reason why I'm investing
> less time in the correcting errors.
>

I could not imagine how my 7.3 could be any more accurate than it is now.
The only errors I get are due to my getting lazy with my articulation or
words that sound exactly the same. Patient names also produce some funny
results sometimes, but that would be true with any version.

> Right now, I've definitely got the beginning of a corrupt voice file.
> Previously, I would have been in a panic. No more. I delete the old file
> (two seconds), create a new user (10 minutes), import all of the previous
> words and analyzing documents (a couple of hours), and I'm good to go.
> Tell me who can get up to speed that quickly with an expander?
>

I've *never* had my dictionary file become corrupt on my Shorthand program,
so that hasn't been an issue.

If my personal dictionary did become corrupt, restoring it would be just as
quick and easy as doing so in DNS.

In any case, I now image and back up my *entire* hard drive to two separate
locations weekly, so I no longer worry at all about these issues, and I can
tweak away at my system to my heart's delight, because if I screw something
up, I just restore the image. I'm using a program called Acronis True
Image, which is similar to Norton Ghost, but I think superior.

ed

Karen C

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:M02Nd.37249$BQ2.10245@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> I know that, which is why I quit the product so quickly. The bottom line
was
> $$$. I couldn't take that kind of cut in pay. Maybe if I went half my
normal
> speed it would be okay, but I dropped from 11 to 2 pages an hour first
try.

Yeah, I recall those days. It was a good six weeks before I was able to say
I had picked up my speed back to a good clip.

And yes, I was working about 16 hours per day during that time. I hated
having to put in all those hours, but I knew I had to do it to get over the
hump and have it be working for me. That's how I've been looking at Dragon.
Haven't yet made the purchase. Have to see which version I want to get to
fit my needs. Probably 90 percent of my work these days is LT, so I'm not
convinced I need the medical version, though. Whatever I get, I'm dreading
the slowdown for the learning curve.

> Getting old is the pitz. I can feel one brain cell after the other going
> ka-ching! RIP.

My poor old arthritic hands are totally in agreement!

--
Karen C.

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Jeannie Wilson" <jwilson421@comcastspamkills.net> wrote in message
news:Xns95F47234976C2jwilson421comcastnet@216.196.97.136...
> RaeMorrill@aol.com wrote here for all to
> seenews:1107620225.787924.168980@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
>
> I still have never used ST, IT, FF, or any other expander type program. I
> use autocorrects and autotexts in Word and between that and macros my
> production is through the roof. I don't want to mess with what works, so
> I
> can certainly see why someone else wouldn't. DNS on the other hand, is
> something that could make it possible for me to continue to work if I were
> to break a hand/finger/arm/etc. I would think that alone would warrant
> the
> investment in time as it will keep you working when you normally wouldn't
> be able to. I don't see where an expander type program would do that. Of
> course, maybe I am missing something as I haven't used any.

I use Shorthand because the MTSO that I worked for several years ago used it
and she had me download the free trial.

She then gave me her dictionary (the file with her collection of
abbreviations) which I found fascinating. It was huge and extensive, and by
perusing it I learned a lot about abbreviations, but ultimately it was not
intuitive for me, so I created my own.

I should give her a call. Haven't talked to her in years.

I reinstalled the trial a few times before I became completely convinced
that I never wanted to work without it, and then registered it.

ed

CyberCafe

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

Su wrote:

> Sheila,
>
> I've got a few IT questions ...
>
> 1. How are you able to keep an eye on what you're typing *and* on the
> options that pop up on the bottom of the screen. Wouldn't that make you
> woozy, or is something you get used to over time?

Since I have epilepsy with photosensitivity, I was initially worried about that
too. You get used to it. I really don't watch the IT display that much
anymore. My IT display is at the bottom of the word processor display, which I
think is better than the side of the screen display (just my personal
preference).

> 2. Don't you find the program slows you down, 'cause the options pop up and
> you have to read over each and every one of them before you make a choice?

With new customers I'm a little bit slower than the older customers partially
because the new customers don't have a decent word/phrase list built yet. But
it is still faster than typing every single word out in full. Sooner or later
though, you're going to automatically memorize some of the abbreviations. My
favorite abbreviation is for the word "throughout."

> 3. Can you run a glossary (have IT create phrases from documents you have),
> and then convert them over to a text document for off-line review?

Yes, IT can compile word and phrase lists from one to a zillion already typed
documents. Yes, there is a way to preview or even edit the word and phrase
lists.

> 4. Why do you prefer IT over other expanders, and how long did it take for
> you to get up to a decent production level?

I've only used IT, macros (with WP5.1), and auto correct. It took about a month
to get up to decent production (IT never slowed me down) and to learn every bit
of the software. The thing is that the moment you start using it, it can save
keystrokes, and that's what kept me motivated. Sometimes I think, hey, I can
type up this document real quick without opening IT and guess what. I always
end up opening IT. I just can't work without it. Everyone is looking at IT in
a limited way; that is, increased speed only. For myself, IT also acts like a
mini dictionary. I do have a medical spell checker installed, but I would
rather spell it right the first time than correct it through editing. Another
thing is that, at least for me, if my keystroke abbreviations bring up two
similar drugs for example, just looking at the two visually helps me select the
correct one.

> 5. How long have you been using IT, and about what percentage of the
> abbreviations have you memorized (rote)?

About five years (that's a wild guess). The percentages I don't know.
Percentages probably aren't that important. Frequency, commonality, of the
word(s) should probably be considered too.

The other thing I wish people would think of is that a lot of these expanders
don't suck up computer resources. You rarely have to worry about crashing like
you do with the auto correct. It's also faster, easier to add words or phrases
to an expander, and you don't have to try to figure out if an abbreviation is
already in use because it doesn't matter with IT and some of the other
expanders.

Barb

Barb

14tonks

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

IT comes with some starter glossaries. You can choose to use all, some, or
none of them, and change your mind with a couple of keystrokes.

If you use the marker key option, which is the way IT was really designed to
be used, nothing expands unless you hit your designated marker key, and
there are different keys for phrases (defined shorts, whether for phrases or
words) and words (freeform shorts, whether for words or phrases). You don't
lose any keystrokes using the marker key if you set IT to autospace; you
just hit the marker instead of the spacebar after a short.

The advantage of an advisory is that you do not have to have a unique short
for every word or phrase. You can certainly choose to do so, however, and
you can even choose to run the program with a 1-line advisory at the bottom
of the screen that you never look at while expanding with delimiters like
the space and period instead of marker keys. If you are going to run IT that
way, though, you might as well buy a cheaper expander without the fancy
features, because you aren't taking advantage of them.
--

Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.

<RaeMorrill@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1107620225.787924.168980@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> The problem with ST (and maybe IT) is that there are words already in
> there and if you're not careful they will go in when you didn't mean
> them to. Programs like Flash come with only a very few and otherwise
> you make your own. But the up side is you never have to look up an odd
> spelling again. If you enter them you don't have to worry about if it
> is Drugname-XR or Drugname XR and spend time double checking in your
> reference books
>

14tonks

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

The problem with AutoCorrect is that the maximum number of entries it can
hold is 7000, some come preinstalled for its real purpose of correcting
typos on the fly, and it frequently corrupts and loses all entries after you
go above 3000 or so entries. Most people with IT have tens of thousands of
shorts in each of a number of glossaries.
--

Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.

"Jeannie Wilson" <jwilson421@comcastspamkills.net> wrote in message
news:Xns95F47234976C2jwilson421comcastnet@216.196.97.136...
> RaeMorrill@aol.com wrote here for all to
> seenews:1107620225.787924.168980@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
>
> I still have never used ST, IT, FF, or any other expander type program. I
> use autocorrects and autotexts in Word and between that and macros my
> production is through the roof. I don't want to mess with what works, so
I
> can certainly see why someone else wouldn't. DNS on the other hand, is
> something that could make it possible for me to continue to work if I were
> to break a hand/finger/arm/etc. I would think that alone would warrant
the
> investment in time as it will keep you working when you normally wouldn't
> be able to. I don't see where an expander type program would do that. Of
> course, maybe I am missing something as I haven't used any.

14tonks

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

The usual advice when starting with a new expander is to use it for just a
half hour or so the first day, and gradually increase time using it as you
pick up speed. Very few people can afford to have their productivity drop
for a week or more while they learn something new. Almost everyone can
afford to take a half hour to work at a little slower rate using something
new, though, whether it is an expander, SR, a new word processor, or
whatever.
--

Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.

"Karen C" <kcunnin502@aol.com> wrote in message
news:36kepjF515pa5U1@individual.net...
> "Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:M02Nd.37249$BQ2.10245@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> was
> normal
> try.
>
> Yeah, I recall those days. It was a good six weeks before I was able to
say
> I had picked up my speed back to a good clip.
>
> And yes, I was working about 16 hours per day during that time. I hated
> having to put in all those hours, but I knew I had to do it to get over
the
> hump and have it be working for me. That's how I've been looking at
Dragon.
> Haven't yet made the purchase. Have to see which version I want to get to
> fit my needs. Probably 90 percent of my work these days is LT, so I'm not
> convinced I need the medical version, though. Whatever I get, I'm
dreading
> the slowdown for the learning curve.
>
>
> My poor old arthritic hands are totally in agreement!
>
> --
> Karen C.
>
>

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:2w8Nd.37681$BQ2.35643@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36kds7F52uu82U1@individual.net...

This is how I would handle these terms:
[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> cholelithiasis

chole

> choledocholithiasis

choled

> cholecystectomy

cholec

> choledochojejunostomy

cholej
>

> ... and the list grows. It's still an issue of memorization, which is
> becoming more of a problem for me.
>

Very little, if any, memorization required. My memory isn't so good either,
believe me, I'm a child of the 60's, and it's not getting any better either.

>
>
> On an average day, what percentage of your work is produced with
> abbreviations?

Before or after I started using DNS?

>
>
>
> I totally agree that using an expander is the #1 factor for production.
> And, like you say, you enjoy playing with software.
>
> It's something my husband said a long time ago: "Do you want to learn, or
> do you want to know?" --- That's my problem. I want to know.
>

I think I grok the distinction, but not sure, please 'splain

.

>
>
> I totally agree with you ... but it's the issue of $$$. There's a huge
> difference between wanting to make $30/hour and needing to.
>

Not sure I understand the above either. Please elaborate a bit.

>
>
> I should turn off my expander some time, type a paragraph, and then post
> it here, and you'll see how much I actually have to type out.
>
> BTW ... can I e-mail you about something?

Anytime.

ed

>
>

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"14tonks" <mail.2.14tonks@recursor.net> wrote in message
news:36kl6tF537r1hU1@individual.net...
> IT comes with some starter glossaries. You can choose to use all, some, or
> none of them, and change your mind with a couple of keystrokes.

I saw an image of that, I think in Textware.

So ... when you go to set up the glossaries, you need to divide the reports
according to specialty. Am I correct?

> If you use the marker key option, which is the way IT was really designed
> to
> be used, nothing expands unless you hit your designated marker key, and
> there are different keys for phrases (defined shorts, whether for phrases
> or
> words) and words (freeform shorts, whether for words or phrases). You
> don't
> lose any keystrokes using the marker key if you set IT to autospace; you
> just hit the marker instead of the spacebar after a short.

This whole marker things has my head spinning. I had IT many years ago and
remember I couldn't figure out when to choose it for word or phrase. I tried
all sorts of combinations and this would work or not that.

Also, how do you remember to keep switching between the space bar and the
marker. I did something similar to that about 30 years ago when I worked for
a company that had a really weird typewriter. I remember have to keep
hitting a key every time I want to capitalize something ... it wasn't the
shift key. It took a bit of getting used to, but I mastered it quite nicely.
Again, that was 30 years ago.

> The advantage of an advisory is that you do not have to have a unique
> short
> for every word or phrase. You can certainly choose to do so, however, and
> you can even choose to run the program with a 1-line advisory at the
> bottom
> of the screen that you never look at while expanding with delimiters like
> the space and period instead of marker keys. If you are going to run IT
> that
> way, though, you might as well buy a cheaper expander without the fancy
> features, because you aren't taking advantage of them.

I work with a bar at the bottom of the screen with DNS, but it's a single
bar. Doesn't IT tend to got a bit of screen area?

If I'm going to try this one more time, I want to know all of the "side
effects" in advance.

Mike DeTuri

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

If I have a good sample of files to analyze I can get up to speed that
fast with IT. Even faster if I can use my ABCreate software to harvest
and frequency sort words from the documents.

Mike DeTuri
http://www.deturi.com

Su wrote:
> You're agreeing with Ed on investment of time in DNS ... but how much
> experience do you have with using the product. I think I've got more than
> anymore ... I go back around 6 years, remember? Version 3. The web site - VT
> for MT?
>
> Bottom line: For medical reports - ver 8 Medical Suite is far more accurate
> than ver 7.3 Preferred. That's the main reason why I'm investing less time
> in the correcting errors.
>
> Right now, I've definitely got the beginning of a corrupt voice file.
> Previously, I would have been in a panic. No more. I delete the old file
> (two seconds), create a new user (10 minutes), import all of the previous
> words and analyzing documents (a couple of hours), and I'm good to go. Tell
> me who can get up to speed that quickly with an expander?
>
> And as far as starting from scratch with an expander, I don't even have to
> do that with AutoCorrect. I periodically run the AutoCorrect.dot file
> (thanks to Sheila for that one!) and everything's backed up. If I ever have
> to reinstall Word for some reason, I just restore the file and I'm good to
> go.
>
>
>
> <RaeMorrill@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1107578198.246132.100880@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>

Jeannie Wilson

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote here for all to
seenews:rA8Nd.37688$BQ2.36806@bignews6.bellsouth.net:

> Make me groan. What's your average line rate per hour?
>

It depends on the doc but I generally type 1600-1800 lines per day and I
type generally from 9:00 until 1:30-2 with frequent breaks.

>
> The broken finger is what got me back on DNS in November 2002.
>
>

Right. I don't think any expander will help you much with that, huh?

Jeannie Wilson

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"14tonks" <mail.2.14tonks@recursor.net> wrote here for all to
seenews:36klfhF50443tU1@individual.net:

> The problem with AutoCorrect is that the maximum number of entries it
> can hold is 7000, some come preinstalled for its real purpose of
> correcting typos on the fly, and it frequently corrupts and loses all
> entries after you go above 3000 or so entries. Most people with IT
> have tens of thousands of shorts in each of a number of glossaries.

Yes, I know that but I have deleted a lot of the ones it came pre-
programmed with, use autotext, autocorrect and macros and the last time I
checked, I wasn't even near capacity on any of them.

14tonks

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:YQ9Nd.37696$BQ2.19496@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "14tonks" <mail.2.14tonks@recursor.net> wrote in message
> news:36klfhF50443tU1@individual.net...
can[vbcol=seagreen]
of[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> I've got close to 13,000 entries in AC, so I don't know where this 7000
> limit came from.
>

From sadder but wiser users. I'm delighted to hear you have exceeded the
advertised limits with no problem; may it continue to be that way for you.
You will find message boards filled with reports of problems from less
fortunate souls, though. AutoCorrect slurps up memory, and the more you put
in normal.dot, the more problems you are likely to have, and the more often
that very corruptible file is likely to corrupt.
--

Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.

14tonks

2005-02-07, 8:29 am

As you say, you learned to type that way. I think the difference was
probably that you wanted to learn to type, and you don't want to learn to
use an expander other than AutoCorrect. That's fine, SR is a perfectly valid
alternate approach, but it makes this whole 20-questions about IT bit pretty
much a waste of time, and I want to get my Friday work done so as to have
tomorrow free, so I'm going to drop out of this discussion at this point.
--

Sheila
To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.

"Su" <.@hotmailcom> wrote in message
news:5T9Nd.37697$BQ2.12070@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> I remember reading that in another forum. I think somebody used it for
5-10 > minutes every hour.
>
> My question is, how do you retain the information if it's only used for
1/2
> hour on the first day, and then presume you increase it by 10 minutes a
day
> thereafter. --- It kind of makes me wonder how I even learned to type.
What
> was it ... 30 minutes a day, a few days a week: fff space jjj space ...
>
>
> "14tonks" <mail.2.14tonks@recursor.net> wrote in message
> news:36km1lF51riq4U1@individual.net...
a[vbcol=seagreen]
you[vbcol=seagreen]
drop[vbcol=seagreen]
something[vbcol=seagreen]
first[vbcol=seagreen]
to[vbcol=seagreen]
hated[vbcol=seagreen]
>
>

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

To be on the safe side, maybe I should sit down one weekend and go through
all of the entries and delete what's taking up space. Guaranteed, I don't
even use half of what's there.

"14tonks" <mail.2.14tonks@recursor.net> wrote in message
news:36kskkF51mh6uU1@individual.net...
>
> "Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:YQ9Nd.37696$BQ2.19496@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> can
> of
>
> From sadder but wiser users. I'm delighted to hear you have exceeded the
> advertised limits with no problem; may it continue to be that way for you.
> You will find message boards filled with reports of problems from less
> fortunate souls, though. AutoCorrect slurps up memory, and the more you
> put
> in normal.dot, the more problems you are likely to have, and the more
> often
> that very corruptible file is likely to corrupt.
> --
>
> Sheila
> To reply to me, add the prefix real. to my address.
>
>

Jeannie Wilson

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote here for all to
seenews:7AcNd.37801$BQ2.4799@bignews6.bellsouth.net:

> To be on the safe side, maybe I should sit down one weekend and go
> through all of the entries and delete what's taking up space.
> Guaranteed, I don't even use half of what's there.

I did that just to be on the safe side. I remember emailing Cheryl and
asking about the "max size" for my normal.dot file. I don't remember what
the "Safe/max" size was but I remember mine was MUCH smaller but I would
rather prevent than recover! LOL. I sorted through mine a bit the other
day - found some addresses that were in autotext and in macros, things in
autotext and in autocorrect. I figured out which "version" I used the most
and deleted the repeats.

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

I agree about holding onto Smartype, but what happens if you eventually
move
toward a company that wants Word?[vbcol=seagreen]

Well, I know my good buddy Pam still works in WP51 even though company
uses Word. In fact, she makes me pale in comparison to resistance to
changing as far as lengths. But I only work for small (very small)
MTSOs at this time. One uses WP Windows so my documents convert fairly
perfectly. Another I open and save into Word before sending. I've done
work for another person whose formats were fairly complex, utilizing
both headers and footers in same documents and I was able to convert
them to Word quite well. When people see you can do the work, are
reliable, etc., they are willing to work with it - at least so far.

If circumstances forced me to change to Word, I believe IT converts ST
abbreviations fairly well - though it wouldn't help with the macros I
use with ST and so forth. I'd probably kill myself in about a day from
the stress though.

RaeMorrill@aol.com

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

It took me about 2 weeks to get reasonably comfortable with ST. I
agree, though, that at first I thought it would be impossible.

Anne

[vbcol=seagreen]

LOL. I think I felt a little dizzy to start. I don't know how many
abbreviations it holds, but it fills up by letter. I've filled up c, p,
and s so far, I think, even using smartblocks for a lot of things, so
sometimes I find I have to sift through and remove something I no
longer have a need for.

^*^ Bella ^*^

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

Su -- I would enjoy answering these questions for you. I have some
rather unusual ways of learning and using Instant Text.

I found the idea of looking at the status bar for IT and slowing one's
production down to adapt to using it a specific way very unproductive!
I had to learn IT in a hurry last fall to do some new work, so I came
up with a method that let me use IT exactly the same way I used my
previous expanders (PRD+ for 12+ years, then DocQscribe's AutoCorrect
[not to be confused with MS Word's AutoCorrect, which isn't meant to be
an expander]). Two hours later, I was using IT and transcribing in
Word as if I had been doing it for 5 years. When one names
abbreviations in sensible ways, one doesn't need to worry about
memorizing them. Pretty quickly one's muscle memory takes over; when
the brain hears congestive heart failure, the fingers know to key chfx
-- no concious thought is required! I do find IT's status line useful
when I need to remember exactly how I coded the abbreviation for a
phrase that has many similar variations, such as the various expansions
of PERRLA and related acronyms. Then I glance down to see which letter
I need to key in next to complete the correct code for that expansion.
Again, almost no conscious thought is required.

That seems to be the biggest problem with IT -- it's an awesomely
versatile and useful program, but the manual assumes that the reader
either has never used an expander before or is willing to sacrifice
productivity to learn an entirely new method of working with an
expander. I didn't see any need for that -- the way I use IT allows me
to take advantage of all the features without ever relearning or
slowing down. By focusing on the basics and slowly adding new features
as I mastered the program, I have worked up to full use of IT, without
slogging through a learning curve and without needing to limit my use
to 5 minutes per hour. In the last month or so I've even started
experimenting with using marker keys, but I can do everything I need
with IT with expansions triggered by punctuation and the space bar.

#4 - IT is the most versatile (works with the most word processing
programs and proprietary transcription platforms, including DocQscribe)
expander, meaning once MTs build up their IT glossaries, they can
relax, knowing they never have to go through creating a glossary from
scratch when their service changes platforms or when they change
services. It offers the most features, including the awesome
compilation and continuation features. It allows users the most
control over how the program works. Its focus on phrases instead of
words allows the most increase in productivity -- Textware says up to
70%, while most expanders offer around a 30% increase. Do read the
article on the main IT forum which describes the MT demonstrating IT at
a convention and achieving an average of 9.1 characters per keystroke.
(My mileage definitely varies <g>.) As I explained above, you won't
lose any production if you are an experienced expander user and have
your current glossary converted to IT by Textware. By the end of the
first day you should be working with IT just as efficiently as with
your previous expander.

#5: See above about not needing to memorize anything. I have about
10,000 entries in my expander right now. IT's continuation feature
should allow you to get the same results as I have with far fewer
entries. (Too long to explain here, but I built up my expander file in
PRD+ and DQS/AC, so I have lots of lengthy phrases (the patient was
taken to the operating room and placed in the supine position) plus all
their component parts (the patient was taken, the patient was taken to,
and placed in the, etc.); the older expanders required one do that to
achieve optimal flexibility. Once you begin using the compilation and
continuation features, once you enter "the patient was taken," it will
offer the next part of the sentence for your approval.

I know I haven't answered all your questions, Su, and this is the only
post I've had time to dip into tonight on all of smt. I apologize for
the rudeness of posting and running, but I was looking at smt for
something in particular tonight and saw this thread; I couldn't resist
seeing what people are talking about. If you need any more info, or if
anyone reading this post wants to find out about an easy method for
learning Instant Text, as well as lots of other things pertaining to
DocQscribe, WindowsXP, Word, expanders, normals/templates, and lots of
other productivity topics, please do drop by www.productivemt.org
sometime later this month; you can ask any remaining questions on the
productivity forums there.

Of course I've encountered endless delays in getting everything
together [thank you to those MTs who wrote me with kind thoughts
following my beloved sis-in-law's recent major heart attack; she's
doing very well now physically, although nowhere near the ride." (See
the Dead's "Hell in a Bucket.") I have a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity this year to try whatever I want and not worry about
traditional success or failure. All that will matter to me when I look
back in December 2005 is whether I've helped a few MDPs* earn more
money with less stress, I've provided a few forward-thinking MTs with a
forum to disseminate their ideas, I've at least started training as a
coder, and I've had some fun doing it, I'll be happy. I consider this
my sabbatical after 15 years of usually being the primary breadwinner
while pursing the at-home MT Mommy track. (DH usually worked for less
pay/hour so we could have health insurance, but the great state of
Oregon is kindly providing that as well as nearly everything else this
year. I think they'll be pleased with the return on their investment
<g>.)] Thanks for listening, all. Don't worry -- I won't be boring
and offending everyone with my with Mensan boasting/braying [now what
*was* that word? <g>]

In closing, anyone want to not just talk but *do something* about
making certain at-home MTs and editors get treated fairly by the huge
national services? Anyone suspect a national service cheated her/him
out of pay or broke any federal employment laws?

Let's talk! Write to the_lph_geek@yahoo.com and/or stop by
www.productivemt.org (closer to the end of February 2005).

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:dk8Nd.37669$BQ2.7530@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36kectF537fbnU1@individual.net...
>
> Even when I'm dictating I don't use DNS for everything that appears, which
> includes patient names. The bug-a-boo I've got is with numbers, so I stop
> struggling. I dictate for the short version and type for the long version.

I try the name out on DNS at the beginning of the report, unless I'm sure
there is no chance in hell it's going to get it right. If it does get it
right, then I know I can dictate it when it comes up again. It did import a
bunch of names from the files I fed it, so often I am pleasantly surprised
when it gets a tough one right.

>
> So, at this point, about how accurate is the product for you?

On a follow-up visits, which is the majority of what I transcribe, it is
amazingly accurate. I would say I only have to do 1-2 corrections per page
if I don't get too lazy with my pronounciation.

Also, how
> often do you have to add medical terms?

Very rarely on follow-up visits, but more often on consultations and H&P's.
Most of what I'm adding is drug names that are not specific to cardiology,
and syndromes, signs, etc. Still, not all that often. Maybe one or two
additions per report, and as I add them, of course, the frequency decreases.

What do you think your current level
> of production is: [1] just dictating, and [2] dictating and proofing? ---
> Just curious.

I proof as I go and spell check at the end.

I just got done working for an hour, using DNS, and did 302 gross lines. I
get paid by gross line.

Just using the keyboard, I was doing about 225 or so.

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:qA9Nd.37693$BQ2.20887@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36kmfbF52e7j2U1@individual.net...
>
> I use this -
>
> chl
>
> cdl
>
>
> choy
>
> cdjy
>
>
>
> See the lack of pattern I've got?
>

Yep, and that would not work for me either. I use my system because
although I may have to type a few extra characters in my abbreviations, I
don't have to memorize hardly anything at all.

Maybe you could try doing it the way I do? It is very easy and intuitive.

>
>
>
> I'm a child of the 60s, too. And the 70s, 80s, 90s ... <g>

>
> Before.

I would estimate about 40% or thereabouts.

With DNS, I would say about 25%.

>
>
>
> If you want to learn something, then you'll learn it. But if you only want
> to know, then you don't want to go through the learning process,
> therefore, you'll have trouble learning anything.
>

Gotcha.

>
>
>
> Wanting to make $30/hour - not too much in the way of bills, but want a
> lot of play money.
> Needing to make $30 - a lot in the way of bills, and not much left for
> play money.

I think I am just as motivated by play money as I am by bill money. Maybe
more

.

ed

money doesn't buy happiness, but poverty doesn't buy anything.

Cheryl Flanders

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

^*^ Bella ^*^ wrote:
> the way I use IT allows me
> to take advantage of all the features without ever relearning or
> slowing down. By focusing on the basics and slowly adding new features
> as I mastered the program, I have worked up to full use of IT, without
> slogging through a learning curve and without needing to limit my use
> to 5 minutes per hour. In the last month or so I've even started
> experimenting with using marker keys, but I can do everything I need
> with IT with expansions triggered by punctuation and the space bar.

Triggering expansions with the spacebar means you lose out on one of the
most powerful features of IT -- Continuations. They only show up in the
advisory when you use marker keys. You also cost yourself keystrokes
because the automatic spacing feature does not work with the spacebar
method. With marker keys, IT allows you to use "real words" for short
forms. With the spacebar method, you would have to clear the advisory
window first with the Esc key to avoid unexpected expansions.

IT does give you the ability to import abbreviations from other expander
programs so you can continue using pre-memorized short forms along with
the short forms automatically set up for you when compiling glossaries.

For an overview of Instant Text:
http://www.textware.com/overview/overviewpage.htm

Cheryl

Cheryl Flanders

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

Su wrote:
> Then why invest in IT if you're going to continue using the
abbreviations
> you already have?

Some of us have habits from previous expanders that we don't want to
give up. You know, those expansions that come off our fingers without
even thinking. You don't lose those with IT. And you don't have to
memorize new abbreviations (short forms) IT creates for you when you
compile new glossaries -- IT uses the simple rule of the first letter of
each word in a phrase. Check out the Overview link I posted for further
info.

Cheryl

Karen C

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4A8Nd.37687$BQ2.9687@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> No *way* I would ever work that much ... but I've got a great deal of
> admiration and respect for anyone who can and will. Eight hours is pushing
> it. Nine hours is really pushing it. Ten hours and I draw the line. I'll
do
> that on an extremely rare occasion ... about 3x a year.

Oh, you can *say* you wouldn't--because you evidently don't *have to*. But
if you had to, you would. Unfortunately, there are lots of times I have to,
so . . .

> You won't even come close to it, if you set things up a little over time.
> Start now.

I'm beginning to see the need to do just that.

> I agree with Ed in terms of starting with Prefered. Check e-Bay. If you
> think it's a product that could really work for you, THEN you invest in
ver
> 6 or 7 of the Professional version (again, e-Bay). From there, upgrade to
> version 8. In the final analysis, you'll save a lot of money.

I didn't see his post on Preferred, but that sounds like a good plan. I'm
all for saving a lot of money <g>. Thanks!
--
Karen C.

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:K5sNd.42754$BQ2.36385@bignews6.bellsouth.net...

>
> Gross lines ... in Courier?

Times New Roman 12

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:GauNd.43363$BQ2.1653@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in
>
>
> You're off to a good start.

Thanks!

I'm not a speed demon on a keyboard (80 wpm), so I'm really happy with the
improvement in speed.

I'm even happier about how much better my hands are feeling, because I was
beginning to think my MT career would end prematurely.

Now, some of the increase in speed is due to the fact that I don't have to
take as many breaks as I used to. Before using VR, I would have to take a
5-10 minute break about every 5-6 reports. I had to do that for the benefit
of my hands and because I would begin to get brain fade.

Using VR, I don't have to take breaks nearly as often (although the DVT
thread will continue to be a reminder for me) and I don't get *any* brain
fade at all versus when I was keyboarding. A week ago I did about 12
reports in a row and the only thing that bothered me was my butt

.

I am also learning to use the footpedal in a different manner than I did
when keyboarding. I can listen to longer segments of dictation before
dictating them, so things go faster and smoother. I'm not sure why I
couldn't do this with my keyboard, but VR allows me to do this.

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:k1wNd.43385$BQ2.35066@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36naidF53q2lsU1@individual.net...
>
> Are you dictating, remembering what was said, and *then* repeating the
> dictation?

Yes, that's how I'm doing it.

Since I proof as I go, I didn't think doing it any other way was an option.
What am I doing wrong?

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:k1wNd.43385$BQ2.35066@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36naidF53q2lsU1@individual.net...
>
> Are you dictating, remembering what was said, and *then* repeating the
> dictation?

Also, with one of the two people I transcribe, the syntax and phrasing
sometimes needs revision, so how would I do that without stopping?

ed

Mike DeTuri

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

The last time I did a large scale import I did it with 40,000 files in
WP5.1 format. I think it was on the order of 150+ megs. I sorted by
work type then doctor.

Mike DeTuri
http://www.deturi.com

Su wrote:
> If I ever take the plunge, I'll have about 357 MB of files. I'm just now
> sorting things according to specialty.
>
>
> "Mike DeTuri" <seemy@webpage.com> wrote in message
> news:rvCdnZlUhrU4sZjfRVn-ig@adelphia.com...
>
>

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

[vbcol=seagreen]

What are the symptoms of a corrupt voice file?

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:UbzNd.43724$BQ2.7793@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36nhicF51sb04U1@individual.net...
>
> From personal experience ...
>
> You could be dictating along and suddenly an error message pops up. It
> could be a one-time incident, or it could happen more frequently, and that
> usually means the voice file is corrupt. At that point you're better off
> closing up what you're doing and creating a new user.
>
> Another clue is the accuracy begins to deteriorate, and you're fairly
> certain that you're dictating properly. You could try running the Acoustic
> Optimizer, but it's hit-and-miss with that. Some people say it improves
> things and other say that it can lead to further deterioration. I tried it
> once and so far no problems.
>
> One clue I had the other day is saying something and getting hieroglyphics
> on the screen. Uh-oh ... red alert!!! I closed down DNS and let is sit for
> a day. All was fine the next day, but I've got an eye on things.
>
> There are probably other clues, but those are the ones I'm most familiar
> with.

Ok, thanks.

I know it's a bad idea to have the "auto-save" feature turned on, because if
you have a bad session with the program, it will save bad data, so I didn't
turn that on.

One thing that I noticed is that as part of the install, it asks to scan
your documents for your writing style, but it does not allow you at that
point to choose what folders it will scan.

It just goes to the "my documents" folder and willy-nilly scans that folder
and each subfolder. In some of those subfolders I have all the schoolwork
my kids have done over the years and God knows what else. I don't even keep
my backed up MT reports in "my documents" so it scanned a bunch of files
that had nothing to do with what I was going to use the program for.

Now, it does give you the option of not scanning your docs at that point in
the install (although it warns that this is not recommended). Well, I think
it is highly recommended to skip the document scan on the install, because
once the program is done installing, you then have the option to select
exactly what folders and documents you wish to import.

After I figured this out, I uninstalled and re-installed, skipping that step
and later pointing the program to just my backed up medical files. This
created a much better vocabulary, without all the crap it imported from "my
documents."

ed

Karen C

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:qduNd.43364$BQ2.7667@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> That's not true, Karen. Last year was one of those years when I should
have
> but I didn't. >

But even though you say you should have, you obviously figured out a way to
survive without working those exta-long hours. Believe me, if I could
figure out a way to dump some hours, I certainly would. Only problem is
there are these stupid things called food, tuition, orthodontics, and other
expenses that keep getting in my way. 8-(

>I've got what you might call a self-defense mechanism. If I
> ever have to work like you do, I'll burnout again and never be able to
> transcribe again.

Somtimes I think they'll just find me slumped over my keyboard and come and
prop me up, hoping they can get a few more files out of me after I've bought
the farm. 8-(

--
Karen C.

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:S5yNd.43496$BQ2.39772@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36nh2fF54t9m4U1@individual.net...
>
>
> It's the same and transcribing using the keyboard ... you listen and
> transcribe at the same time.

lol, not me. I'm a man. I don't multitask well

.

That's where you'll build up more momentum. Any
> mistakes I happen to catch while I'm dictating I'll fix, but the actual
> proofing I do much later on. Maybe during a lunch break, or later on in
> the day when I'm tired and want to just take it a little more easy.

I'm way too anal to be able to do that. I have to fix an errors as I go,
but when I'm done with the report, I'm done. If I miss any errors, the also
anal NP at my office will gladly point them out to me, but that happens very
infrequently.

>
> It takes a little practice to "find your groove," but once you get the
> hang of it, you'll see how easy it is.
>

I do notice that my technique with VR is evolving somewhat, so maybe there
is hope for me yet, but I have never been able to continuously type and
listen, even when the person dictating is slow.

I stop at the end of every sentence or two, type (or talk) and then
continue. No wonder most succesful MT's are women.

ed

Ed Chait

2005-02-07, 8:30 am

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:YWINd.45565$BQ2.37132@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36osluF4f749kU1@individual.net...
>
> Then changes are you'll keep your production at it's current level. You'll
> basically hover around 300 lph. If that is acceptable to you, then
> continue as you are.

Well, it is acceptable, but I'm certainly not averse to getting faster, with
either the keyboard or VR

.

>
> Hmmm ... it seems to mne that you're with VR like I am with ST and IT.
> Ironic, huh? <g>
>

I sense that you are trying to be open-minded and teachable in regards to
expanders, and I'm doing my best to do the same with VR. Old habits are not
easy to change, but I have no objection to trying something new.

>
>

>
>
> So, no matter the speed of the dictator you tend to listen/remember, foot
> off pedal, type ... and repeat the process?
>

Yep, that's how I've always done it. I have transcribed for a couple of
docs where I could pretty much keep up with their dictation and only stop
occasionally, but I have *never* sped anyone up like I know other MT's do.

When I transcribe, I'm also not just a human conduit for words. I like to
actually think about what the docs are saying, because medicine fascinates
me. Doing this also helps me to catch mistakes that some other MT's might
not, because I'm always considering whether the dication makes sense or not
medically, not just grammatically. Maybe I could be faster if I didn't
focus on these issues as much, but it's important for me to do it this way.
Maybe some feel this is carrying things outside of the responsibility of
being an MT, and maybe they're right, but I have to do what I think is right
and what I can live with.

>
>
> And I've met a lot of women MTs in my life whose skills are really not
> that good. "That's the way I've always done it, and I'm not doing to
> change." "That's what the doctor said so that's what I'm typing." (shall I
> go on?)

Well, true, maybe my statement was sexist, but now I'm curious. Maybe some
of the other male MT's (including lurkers) could chime in and tell us
whether they start and stop every sentence or so, or whether they type
fairly continuously.

ed

Eliyahu Rooff

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

"Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:36p7d4F53snstU1@individual.net...

>
>
> Well, true, maybe my statement was sexist, but now I'm curious. Maybe
some
> of the other male MT's (including lurkers) could chime in and tell us
> whether they start and stop every sentence or so, or whether they type
> fairly continuously.
>
I try to keep it going continuously, but find myself stopping when the
tape gets ahead of me. Has to do with my typing speed rather than
needing to listen and analyze the content.

Eliyahu

Ed Chait

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

"Eliyahu Rooff" <lrooff@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gCLNd.33260$2h6.24326@fe06.lga...
>
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:36p7d4F53snstU1@individual.net...
>
> some
> I try to keep it going continuously, but find myself stopping when the
> tape gets ahead of me. Has to do with my typing speed rather than
> needing to listen and analyze the content.
>
> Eliyahu

Thanks Eli.

I was hoping more men would respond.

Yes, you. You know who you are.

ed

Neal

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

Is that me? What's the question to respond to?

Neal

Ed Chait wrote:
> "Eliyahu Rooff" <lrooff@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:gCLNd.33260$2h6.24326@fe06.lga...
>
>
>
> Thanks Eli.
>
> I was hoping more men would respond.
>
> Yes, you. You know who you are.
>
> ed

>
>

Ed Chait

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

"Neal" <nbrown12@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:36r5etF55j9l6U1@individual.net...
> Is that me? What's the question to respond to?
>
> Neal

Hi Neal!

No, it's not just you. I know for a fact that we have some male MT's
lurking on this newsgroup, and thought it might be nice to hear from them,
but I'm glad you responded.

The question is in regards to how you transcribe.

Do you type pretty much continuously, listening and typing simultaneously,
or do you listen to a sentence or two, and then stop and type them before
going on?

ed, who thinks it might be interesting if some of the ladies would also
chime in

Rennie

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

Ditto what Dani said.

______________
Rennie (female)
Owner, MT Netizens (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mtnetizens)
www.renesue.com

"djgordon" <danigordon@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:1LZNd.1371$fP1.82@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> I listen while I'm typing, no memorizing. I mean, the dictation may get
> ahead of my fingers a bit at times, but then I just let off the pedal,
catch
> up to it, and press play and go on.

kathycarp

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

My goal is to never let my foot off of the pedal. Not possible for most
dictators, but then I try to at least not have any time when my fingers
aren't typing. IOW, when I have to let my foot off of the pedal to catch
up... I try to start listening again before my fingers catch up so there's
no break in the continuity. That's when I can fly.

--
Kathy
www.ambergriscaye.com/villadelsol
"Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:36r7f8F568qpoU1@individual.net...
>
> "Neal" <nbrown12@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:36r5etF55j9l6U1@individual.net...
>
>
> Hi Neal!
>
> No, it's not just you. I know for a fact that we have some male MT's
> lurking on this newsgroup, and thought it might be nice to hear from them,
> but I'm glad you responded.
>
>
> The question is in regards to how you transcribe.
>
> Do you type pretty much continuously, listening and typing simultaneously,
> or do you listen to a sentence or two, and then stop and type them before
> going on?
>
> ed, who thinks it might be interesting if some of the ladies would also
> chime in
>

Bambi C.

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

"Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:36r7f8F568qpoU1@individual.net...
>
>
> The question is in regards to how you transcribe.
>
> Do you type pretty much continuously, listening and typing simultaneously,
> or do you listen to a sentence or two, and then stop and type them before
> going on?
>
> ed, who thinks it might be interesting if some of the ladies would also
> chime in
>

Simultaneously. I have an approximately five-word memory buffer if I get a
little behind the dictator. More than that, I back up a couple words.

Bambi C.

Neal

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

I listen while I'm typing. I do listen to what to me is a story. I use
the story line many time to put words that are hard to understand due
to mumbling, etc. in context.

After the report is completed, I proof it by reading over it. I make a
particular type of mistake while transcribing, leaving words out. I
guess my mind gets ahead of my fingers, so I have to proof to catch the
missing words. They are easy to catch during proofing.

I anyone has any ideas that might help this, I would appreciate it.

Neal

Ed Chait wrote:
> "Neal" <nbrown12@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:36r5etF55j9l6U1@individual.net...
>
>
>
>
> Hi Neal!
>
> No, it's not just you. I know for a fact that we have some male MT's
> lurking on this newsgroup, and thought it might be nice to hear from them,
> but I'm glad you responded.
>
>
> The question is in regards to how you transcribe.
>
> Do you type pretty much continuously, listening and typing simultaneously,
> or do you listen to a sentence or two, and then stop and type them before
> going on?
>
> ed, who thinks it might be interesting if some of the ladies would also
> chime in
>
>

Barbara Carlson

2005-02-09, 3:09 pm

Me, too.

Barb C.
"Rennie" <me@earthlink.not> wrote in message
news:ny3Od.36957$uA.14558@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> Ditto what Dani said.
>
> ______________
> Rennie (female)
> Owner, MT Netizens (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mtnetizens)
> www.renesue.com
>
> "djgordon" <danigordon@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:1LZNd.1371$fP1.82@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> catch
>
>

Anne Vasquez

2005-02-09, 3:10 pm

I type continuously. It would be slow going for me if I went sentence
by sentence.

Anne

Ed Chait wrote:

>
>
>
> Hi Neal!
>
> No, it's not just you. I know for a fact that we have some male MT's
> lurking on this newsgroup, and thought it might be nice to hear from them,
> but I'm glad you responded.
>
>
> The question is in regards to how you transcribe.
>
> Do you type pretty much continuously, listening and typing simultaneously,
> or do you listen to a sentence or two, and then stop and type them before
> going on?
>
> ed, who thinks it might be interesting if some of the ladies would also
> chime in
>
>

Karen C

2005-02-12, 1:34 pm

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tvGNd.45534$BQ2.20379@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> That's why I said I have a great deal of respect and admiration for people
> like yourself who can push themselves to work those long hours.

I don't think you should admire us idiots who have to push to work those
long hours. I think we're idiots becuase we haven't planned better. 8-(

I've[vbcol=seagreen]
> LOL ... sorry, but I've got this image of you in this scenario.

I can really see that happening (especiallly with the week I've had).
Scary, isn't it?
--
Karen C.