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Testing without foot pedal - cmmcd472

Posted: Jan 23, 2010

I was curious whether anyone on this board has had experience doing transcription without a foot pedal and using their mouse to control the transcription player. I recently tested at Wedmedx for QA and Rad jobs and they wouldn't let me use a foot pedal, I also couldn't slow it down. I missed passing the QA test by 2 points and the rad test by 6 points. A couple of the docs were ESL and the sound quality was not that great. I have years and years of transcription experience but I struggled with that test. I have a FT job but have applied at a few places just in case. Have I been out of the loop so long that I did not know this is the way it is done now? I really didn't think it was fair, they told me I could try again in 90 days. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

F-keys... - gr

[ In Reply To ..]
Didn't they tell you how to use the F-keys to operate the player? I tested for a few companies a few months back in which I couldn't use my foot pedal, but they had instructions on how to use the F-keys, which included slowing down the dictation. Definitely a lot quicker and more helpful than using the mouse. You might want to check before you test again, as I haven't tested with anyone where you could only use the mouse.

F-keys - cmmcd472

[ In Reply To ..]
No instructions on the F-keys, nothing. When I e-mailed and told them I felt that I had been at a disadvantage because of this they told me that was how they tested people now, whatever! I tested for another company on line that had software to download for the foot pedal as well as instructions on how to use the F-keys, I did better on that test. Thanks for your reply.

I had to do that too - MT Bottle

[ In Reply To ..]
I tested a few years ago for a company using only the mouse. What a mess. I was a nervous wreck by the time I was done. Had to transcribe four reports. I was up until 4 in the morning with that test. Again, nothing about F-keys, they said only to use the mouse. I know what you went through, it was horrible. I don't think it's fair either.

Mouse versus keyboard F keys - MT who knows

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been using a mouse with a computer since the late 1980s (no kidding). When someone has used the mouse for so long, it is like part of your hand, an extension; there is no hesitation to using the mouse whatsoever. As far as using keyboard F keys, well, think about it, a person is either taking their hand off the "typing keyboard" to use the F keys or off their "typing keyboard" to use the mouse . . . no difference. I think that people who are used to strictly keyboard work and have not used the mouse all that much, i.e. like an extension of their hand, the F keys probably feel more natural and somewhat "faster;" however, if someone who has used the mouse for years and years on end and it is like an extension of their hand with no hesitation, there is no difference. I personally believe that it is bogus bullsh_t to even assume that strictly using a keyboard is the only way to make things faster -- I think this is an excuse that has been dreamed up by people who really don't know in order to justify not paying MTs well.

mouse versus keyboard - cmmcd472

[ In Reply To ..]
So...you are saying that you don't use a foot pedal when you transcribe? I would think that would be incredibly slow and cause wrist problems having to take your hands off the keyboard so much.

I am so with you on this, regarding mouse usage - L

[ In Reply To ..]
I was a late bloomer when it came to using a mouse but when I started on voice was told to use the keys. I stayed with the mouse and it works just as fast. Like you said extension and you get used to it and like falling off a log backwards.

F keys & keyboard shortcuts are much faster than the mouse. - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
You may be taking your fingers off the home row keys, but the keyboard is still faster than reaching for the mouse and dropping down menus. The F keys or other keyboard shortcuts do all that automatically. I was using the mouse in the 80s and hated every moment of taking my hands away from the keyboard. It has nothing to do with paying MTs well. The mouse is just faster for some who don't bother to learn the automaton shortcuts that are available.

No foot pedal? - No mouse?

[ In Reply To ..]

I have never heard of not being allowed to use a foot pedal for testing and/or transcribing. My questions regarding this would be:

-- What is the point of not allowing foot pedal usage?

-- How would they know whether you do or do not use a foot pedal?

It seems to me that a foot pedal .. just as headphones, F-Keys, or mouse .. would be the MT's preference. Not dictated by an employer or MTSO or anyone else.

I do like the idea of F-Keys and keyboard shortcuts over a mouse, though. I wish I had a third right hand to keep on the mouse so I don't have to lift my hands off the keyboard.

Does anyone have a site with a list of F-Keys and keyboard shortcuts they would care to share? ty

Keyboard shortcuts in Word? There is a built-in macro (sm) - Cheryl

[ In Reply To ..]
that creates a document listing all commands and pre-assigned shortcuts. You can also find a list of shortcuts on the Microsoft site; however, the site does not list commands that are unassigned. For example, you can assign a shortcut to the FileNewDialog command to bring up the Templates dialog box so you don't have to grab the mouse and drill down through menus (or use the pre-assigned menu shortcuts with the Alt key). You also have the ability to change any pre-assigned shortcut (including the F keys) to a shortcut that is an easier stretch of the fingers, as well as change 3-key assignments to 2 keys. You never have to grab for that mouse in Word.

In Word 97 through 2007, press Alt + F8 to display the Macro dialog box. In the Macros In: drop-down list, select Word Commands. Scroll down the list and single-click on ListCommands. Click the Run button and click OK for Current Menu and Keyboard Settings in the resulting dialog box in Word 2003 and earlier; select All Word Commands in Word 2007.

A document listing all commands appears in table format for saving or printing. The table can be sorted to easily locate commands and shortcuts.

To keep track of shortcuts you assign (or change), go to the printer dialog box and drop down the list in the Print What section. Select Key Assignments and print. This document will list shortcuts you have assigned to commands or macros.

NO PEDAL - Rosie

[ In Reply To ..]
Same! And I've done transcription off-and-on since 1969. Could possibly test with mouse, but never make a living without pedal. Also, remember the sound quality over Internet through your software is second- or third-generation reproduction -- so degraded greatly. I think they get so many applications, they just don't care, or they just want super hi-tech transcriptionists. Age discrimination?

No foot pedal - cmmcd472

[ In Reply To ..]
It could be the age thing, they also never looked at my resume to see my qualifications, so they don't know much about me, I sometimes wonder if the recruiters really know transcription that well. That's okay, the company obviously isn't the right fit for me. I've been transcribing almost as long as you, got my first job in 1973 just out of school!

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