Re: IT question

From: ^*^ Bella ^*^ (bellatrix.lestrange.cmt_at_gmail.com)
Date: 02/06/05 

Date: 6 Feb 2005 04:27:23 -0800

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).

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Instant Text on eBay
    ... phrases, the IT training materials specifically focus on this. ... IT can analyze files of completed reports and compile glossaries ... IT is the most versatile expander program. ... phrase lists at Harrie's Productivity Talk for MTs forum: ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
  • Re: IT question
    ... use an expander other than AutoCorrect. ... > I remember reading that in another forum. ... Very few people can afford to have their productivity ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
  • Re: IT question
    ... The usual advice when starting with a new expander is to use it for just a ... Very few people can afford to have their productivity drop ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
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