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Productivity Tips for M*Modal? Using InstantText - MR

Posted: Jul 09, 2011

I'm familiar with ExText and was quite fast. I'm now working for a company with an M*Modal based speech editor. It seems that to move the cursor, you have to take your hands off the home keys and move them to the Ctrl and arrow keys, and then back to the home keys to type/correct. This makes no sense to me; is this correct? With ExTExt, for example, Alt U and Y moves the cursor and it had "magic' period, hyphen, comma keys, etc. I've programmed shortcuts into Instant Text (ex. "yy" backspaces and adds a comma), but still have to move back and forth from those keys to the arrow keys. Is there a way to make shortcuts using ALT and CTRL in Instant Text? Also, if there are any hints with building productivity in M*Modal, I'm willing to relearn a whole new way of editing just to be able to make some money again. Thank you!

M-Modal - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
I work with M-Modal at WMX, but I think that each company can define what shortcut keys they use with M-Modal, so your shortcut keys may be different than what we use. I would recommend finding and printing a list of all the shortcut keys so you can get used to them. We can attach the cursor to the highlighter that goes along with the text in M-Modal and easily make edits that way if that is what you are used to. I don't think you have to use the Ctrl and arrow keys.

You can make shortcuts with Ctrl and Alt in Instant Text. You just press the command button when you are adding the entry or use Alt + C to insert the command. I love Instant Text but have found it to be somewhat limited when it comes to macros, so I use a free program called AutoHotKey to create macros, shortcuts, etc. If you want to email me and let me know what exactly you are trying to do and what shortcut keys you use for M-Modal, I would be more than glad to share some of my AutoHotKey scripts with you and other ideas on increasing your productivity. We could probably learn from each other and both benefit.

Thanks so much! - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it and will email you. I wasn't really trained (just a 1-hour "training" session over the phone being walked through the features). I think one problem is the cursor attaching to the purple PH. In my program it is supposed to be CTRL+F12 to attach, but nothing happens, is this possible? The cursor remains where I last used it, and the PH follows the foot pedal. Sorry if this sounds silly.

M-Modal - amy

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been using M-Modal and find it a horrible VR and editing program. I'm faster using my footpedal than having to hit additional keys to stop the cursor. I make so many corrections using this program that I make more money transcribing. I've been told that E-Scription is where one can make the money doing VR.

M*Modal - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for the affirmation. Though I have only worked with one other VR program, I couldn't figure out why this uses a drop-down menu for headers (quicker to just use expanders), no shortcuts for punctuation/editing (unless you make them yourselves), and all those extra steps. After researching, I thought I must be doing something wrong because found out so many MTSOs now use this. After the small employer I had had been with for the last 20 years closed last month, I knew I would take a pay cut in cpl (was getting 6, and 7+ on weekends for VR), but this platform seems cumbersome. I am so grateful to this board for the help; I feel like I'm starting all over again. Looking forward to Cathy's helpful tips - I need them!

Looks like cursor won't attach with my keyboard - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
Solved one problem - it seems with my function keys the cursor won't attach which is why I have to manually move it around. I have an older MS Natural Elite ergo and it doesn't have an F Lock or Function key. Tried it with my husband's keyboard, which does have one, and it works fine. Can't use his to type though, because it's not an ergo. Has anyone else had this problem?

Keyboard problems - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
If you can't get your function keys to work so that you can use the Ctrl + F12 to reattach the cursor, you can assign a different shortcut to do this. In Instant Text, you can just pick a shortcut (like ca for cursor attach or something else) and then just put Ctrl + F12 for the expansion (using the command button or Alt + C to enter). You should then just be able to type ca (or whatever keystroke/combo you choose) and have it function as Ctrl + F12. I try to make different shortcuts for those types of key combinations because they are too hard to do quickly (for me, anyway). If you can't get this to work in Instant Text you can also do it easily in AutoHotKey. Your script then would be
::ca::
Send, ^{F12}
return
(The ^ is the symbol for control)

Thanks Cathy! - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks Cathy I will try that. I downloaded AHK yesterday and entered a few commands - thanks for that tip! One question. I made a script for Alt K = Ctrl right arrow. It works fine when I'm in a regular text document in Word. However, when I try to use it in M-Modal, there's a "lag" and it will cursor forward, then type KKKKKK, then cursor forward. Any fixes for this? Thanks!

AHK - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
Is Alt + K a shortcut that is used on your platform with M-Modal? The script should be
::!k::
^{Right}

If you want some AHK scripts I would be more than willing to send them to you. I have some for the date (short version and long version); google/onelook/drugs.com, etc., searches; headings; etc.

Command menu in Instant Text 7 - MMK

[ In Reply To ..]
Cathy,
Have you tried the new command menu in Instant Text 7?
It is very easy to insert short date, long date, launch Google or drugs.com or any website, document or folder.
See link below.

Thanks. I have IT version 5. Can't afford new. - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

AHK - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, that's the script that I use (and ALT J for Ctrl Left, ALT SHIFT J and K, etc. so I don't have to take my hands off the home keys). Those hot keys work fine in Word but there's some lag in M-Modal that makes them 'pause' so that my cursor moves forward a bit, but then prints the K since I'm holding it down. Is there a way to speed up M-Modal/clear cache/etc? I notice I have to "wait" for my long expanders to finish expanding too. Would love some of your scripts thank you!

AHK/M-Modal - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
You could try it with just letters and no function keys and see if it will work.

I used to get quite a lag with M-Modal when doing long expansions or normals. I increased the RAM on my computer, and that has been a lot better since.

I thought of that too. - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
I added RAM when I started the job, but I thought of that too. I send you a couple of emails : )

More scripts - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
I didn't get any emails : ( Do you mind sharing what company you use M-Modal at?

I am pasting some scripts below. You can just copy and paste into new AHK scripts. Of course, you can change any of the hotkeys/shortcuts to whatever you like.

These are scripts for headings. I usually use an "h" for heading scripts but used an "n" for these since these are "new version" scripts (I work on M-Modal and another platform). They assume that you are using Alt + N to create headings and Ctrl + Alt + N to
create subheadings. They also assume that you use Ctrl + Shift + L to create a numbered list (starts a numbered list after meds and impression).

::ncc::
Send, !n
Send, CHIEF COMPLAINT
Send, {Enter}
return

::nhpi::
Send, !n
Send, HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS
Send, {Enter}
return

::npcp::
Send, !n
Send, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
Send, {Enter}
return

::nrfa::
Send, !n
Send, REASON FOR ADMISSION
Send, {Enter}
return

::nhx::
Send, !n
Send, HISTORY
Send, {Enter}
return

::nrfc::
Send, !n
Send, REASON FOR CONSULTATION
Send, {Enter}
return

::nrqp::
Send, !n
Send, REQUESTING PHYSICIAN
Send, {Enter}
return

::nalgs::
Send, !n
Send, ALLERGIES
Send, {Enter}
return

::nlabs::
Send, !n
Send, LABORATORIES
Send, {Enter}
return

::npmh::
Send, !n
Send, PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
Send, {Enter}
return

::npsh::
Send, !n
Send, PAST SURGICAL HISTORY
Send, {Enter}
return

::nros::
Send, !n
Send, REVIEW OF SYSTEMS
Send, {Enter}
return

::nmeds::
Send, !n
Send, MEDICATIONS
Send, {Enter}
Send, ^+l
return

::ndmeds::
Send, !n
Send, DISCHARGE MEDICATIONS
Send, {Enter}
Send, ^+l
return

::ncmeds::
Send, !n
Send, CURRENT MEDICATIONS
Send, {Enter}
Send, ^+l
return

::nsh::
Send, !n
Send, SOCIAL HISTORY
Send, {Enter}
return

::nfh::
Send, !n
Send, FAMILY HISTORY
Send, {Enter}
return

::nhc::
Send, !n
Send, HOSPITAL COURSE
Send, {Enter}
return

::nimp::
Send, !n
Send, IMPRESSION
Send, {Enter}
Send, ^+l
return

::nassp::
Send, !n
Send, ASSESSMENT AND PLAN
Send, {Enter}
Send, ^+l
return

::ndoc::
Send, !n
Send, DATE OF CONSULTATION
Send, {Enter}
return

::nlabd::
Send, !n
Send, LABORATORY DATA
Send, {Enter}
return

::ndd::
Send, !n
Send, DIAGNOSTIC DATA
Send, {Enter}
return

::nrd::
Send, !n
Send, RADIOGRAPHIC DATA
Send, {Enter}
return

::ndispo::
Send, !n
Send, DISPOSITION
Send, {Enter}
return

::ninv::
Send, !n
Send, INVESTIGATIONS
Send, {Enter}
return

::nass::
Send, !n
Send, ASSESSMENT
Send, {Enter}
Send, ^+l
return

::npl::
Send, !n
Send, PLAN
Send, {Enter}
return

::npe::
Send, !n
Send, PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Send, {Enter}
return

::nvs::
Send, ^!n
Send, VITAL SIGNS
Send, {Enter}
return

::nres::
Send, ^!n
Send, RESPIRATORY
Send, {Enter}
return

::nendo::
Send, ^!n
Send, ENDOCRINE
Send, {Enter}
return

::npul::
Send, ^!n
Send, PULMONARY
Send, {Enter}
return

::nneuro::
Send, ^!n
Send, NEUROLOGIC
Send, {Enter}
return

::nnm::
Send, ^!n
Send, NEUROMUSCULAR
Send, {Enter}
return

::ngen::
Send, ^!n
Send, GENERAL
Send, {Enter}
return

::nch::
Send, ^!n
Send, CHEST
Send, {Enter}
return

::ncns::
Send, ^!n
Send, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Send, {Enter}
return

::nrec::
Send, ^!n
Send, RECTAL
Send, {Enter}
return

::nheent::
Send, ^!n
Send, HEENT
Send, {Enter}
return

::nnk::
Send, ^!n
Send, NECK
Send, {Enter}
return

::nhrt::
Send, ^!n
Send, HEART
Send, {Enter}
return

::ngu::
Send, ^!n
Send, GENITOURINARY
Send, {Enter}
return

::ngi::
Send, ^!n
Send, GASTROINTESTINAL
Send, {Enter}
return

::nlu::
Send, ^!n
Send, LUNGS
Send, {Enter}
return

::ncv::
Send, ^!n
Send, CARDIOVASCULAR
Send, {Enter}
return

::nabd::
Send, ^!n
Send, ABDOMEN
Send, {Enter}
return

::nex::
Send, ^!n
Send, EXTREMITIES
Send, {Enter}
return

::nneuro::
Send, ^!n
Send, NEUROLOGIC
Send, {Enter}
return

::npsych::
Send, ^!n
Send, PSYCHIATRIC
Send, {Enter}
return

::nsk::
Send, ^!n
Send, SKIN
Send, {Enter}
return

::nmu::
Send, ^!n
Send, MUSCULOSKELETAL
Send, {Enter}
return

::nnsmk::
Send, ^!n
Send, NEUROMUSCULAR
Send, {Enter}
return

This script below creates a subheading in the PE from a sentence like "Head is normal..." It will change head into the subheading and then put Normal on the line below it.

::nh::
Send, ^+{Right}
Send, ^!n
Send, {Right}{Right}
Send, ^+{Right}
Send, {Del}
Send +{Right}
Send ^!l
return

This script below will create a subheading in the PE and capitalize the lletter on the next line (for sentences like "Head normal.").

::ny::
Send, ^+{Right}
Send, ^!n
Send, {Right}{Right}
return

This script changes a word into a major heading, like medications. The scripts that follow are if the heading is to more than 1 word (like nv hhh for review of systems).

::nvh::
Send, ^+{right}
Send, !n
Send, {right}
Send, {right}
return

::nvhh::
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^+{right}
Send, !n
Send, {right}
Send, {right}
return

::nvhhh::
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^+{right}
Send, !n
Send, {right}
Send, {right}
return

::nvhhhh::
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^+{right}
Send, !n
Send, {right}
Send, {right}
return

This scripts changes a word into a subheading.
::nvsh::
Send, ^+{right}
Send, ^!n
Send, {right}
Send, {right}
return

These are great, Cathy. Thanks so much. May I ask, - is there a particular reason you chose to use AHK

[ In Reply To ..]
for these instead of your expander? What do you find AHK best, or better, for? Thanks again.

Editiing scripts - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
Here are some editing scripts:

This script deletes the word immediately before the cursor.
^e::
Send, ^{Backspace}
return

This script deletes the word immediately after the cursor and places a period.
^p::
Send `.
Send ^+{Right}
Send {Backspace}
Send +{Right}
Send ^!c
return

This script deletes to the end of the document (good for getting rid of the "junk" at the end of the VR reports).
::de::
Send, ^+{End}
Send, {Backspace}
return

This script brings the comma to the end of the document.
::ce::
Send, ^{End}
return

This script deletes everything before the cursor to the beginning of the document.
::du::
Send, ^+{Home}
Send, {Backspace}
return

This script brings the cursor to the beginning of the document.
::cu::
Send, ^{Home}
return

This script changes DIAGNOSIS to DIAGNOSES when you place the cursor right before the D.
::xs::
Send, {Right}{Right}{Right}{Right}{Right}{Right}{Right}{Right}
Send, {Backspace}
Send, E
Send, ^{Right}
return

This script deletes to the end of the line.
::dle::
Send, +{End}
Send, {Backspace}
return

This script brings the cursor to the end of the line.
::cle::
Send, {End}
return

This script deletes to the beginning of the paragraph.
::dpb::
Send, ^+{Up}
Send, {Backspace}
return

This script brings the cursor to the beginning of the paragraph.
::cpb::
Send, ^+{Up}
Send, {Left}
return

This script deletes to the beginning of the line.
::dlb::
Send, +{Home}
Send, {Backspace}
Send, {Backspace}
return

This script brings the cursor to the beginning of the line.
::clb::
Send, {Home}
return

This script deletes to the end of the paragraph.
::dpe::
Send, ^+{Down}
Send, {Backspace}
return

This script brings the cursor to the end of the paragraph.
::cpe::
Send, ^+{Down}
Send, {Right}
return

This script adds a hyphen to the end of a word.
::ah::
Send, ^{Right}
Send, {Backspace}
Send, -
return

This script adds a comma after a word.
::acc::
Send, ^{Right}
Send, {Backspace}
Send, ,
Send, {space}
return

This script adds a comma and the word and to a word.
::aa::
Send, , and
return

This script adds a comma and the word but to a word.
::aab::
Send, , but
return

This script deletes the word to the right of the cursor and adds a comma.
^i::
Send ^+{Right}
Send {Backspace}
Send `,
Send {space}
Send +{Right}
Send ^!l
return

This script deletes the word to the right of the cursor.
::dlr::
Send, ^{Delete}
return

This script deletes the word to the left of the cursor.
::dl::
Send, ^{Backspace}
return

Final scripts - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
Here are the last scripts. I forgot to mention that you can have more than 1 script in 1 AHK script file. For example, I have all of those editing scripts in 1 AHK script file so that I don't have a million green H's at the bottom of my screen. You can also add #NoTrayIcon to your scripts so you don't see them all.

This script lets you adjust the volume with your keyboard (windows key and up or down arrow):
#NoTrayIcon
; Volume On-Screen-Display (OSD) -- by Rajat
; http://www.autohotkey.com
; This script assigns hotkeys of your choice to raise and lower the
; master and/or wave volume. Both volumes are displayed as different
; color bar graphs.

;_________________________________________________
;_______User Settings_____________________________

; Make customisation only in this area or hotkey area only!!

; The percentage by which to raise or lower the volume each time:
vol_Step = 1

; How long to display the volume level bar graphs:
vol_DisplayTime = 2000

; Master Volume Bar color (see the help file to use more
; precise shades):
vol_CBM = Red

; Wave Volume Bar color
vol_CBW = Blue

; Background color
vol_CW = Silver

; Bar's screen position. Use -1 to center the bar in that dimension:
vol_PosX = -1
vol_PosY = -1
vol_Width = 150 ; width of bar
vol_Thick = 12 ; thickness of bar

; If your keyboard has multimedia buttons for Volume, you can
; try changing the below hotkeys to use them by specifying
; Volume_Up, ^Volume_Up, Volume_Down, and ^Volume_Down:
HotKey, #Up, vol_MasterUp ; Win+UpArrow
HotKey, #Down, vol_MasterDown
HotKey, +#Up, vol_WaveUp ; Shift+Win+UpArrow
HotKey, +#Down, vol_WaveDown

;___________________________________________
;_____Auto Execute Section__________________

; DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING HERE (unless you know what you're doing).

vol_BarOptionsMaster = 1:B ZH%vol_Thick% ZX0 ZY0 W%vol_Width% CB%vol_CBM% CW%vol_CW%
vol_BarOptionsWave = 2:B ZH%vol_Thick% ZX0 ZY0 W%vol_Width% CB%vol_CBW% CW%vol_CW%

; If the X position has been specified, add it to the options.
; Otherwise, omit it to center the bar horizontally:
if vol_PosX >= 0
{
vol_BarOptionsMaster = %vol_BarOptionsMaster% X%vol_PosX%
vol_BarOptionsWave = %vol_BarOptionsWave% X%vol_PosX%
}

; If the Y position has been specified, add it to the options.
; Otherwise, omit it to have it calculated later:
if vol_PosY >= 0
{
vol_BarOptionsMaster = %vol_BarOptionsMaster% Y%vol_PosY%
vol_PosY_wave = %vol_PosY%
vol_PosY_wave += %vol_Thick%
vol_BarOptionsWave = %vol_BarOptionsWave% Y%vol_PosY_wave%
}

#SingleInstance
SetBatchLines, 10ms
Return

;___________________________________________

vol_WaveUp:
SoundSet, +%vol_Step%, Wave
Gosub, vol_ShowBars
return

vol_WaveDown:
SoundSet, -%vol_Step%, Wave
Gosub, vol_ShowBars
return

vol_MasterUp:
SoundSet, +%vol_Step%
Gosub, vol_ShowBars
return

vol_MasterDown:
SoundSet, -%vol_Step%
Gosub, vol_ShowBars
return

vol_ShowBars:
; To prevent the "flashing" effect, only create the bar window if it
; doesn't already exist:
IfWinNotExist, vol_Wave
Progress, %vol_BarOptionsWave%, , , vol_Wave
IfWinNotExist, vol_Master
{
; Calculate position here in case screen resolution changes while
; the script is running:
if vol_PosY < 0
{
; Create the Wave bar just above the Master bar:
WinGetPos, , vol_Wave_Posy, , , vol_Wave
vol_Wave_Posy -= %vol_Thick%
Progress, %vol_BarOptionsMaster% Y%vol_Wave_Posy%, , , vol_Master
}
else
Progress, %vol_BarOptionsMaster%, , , vol_Master
}
; Get both volumes in case the user or an external program changed them:
SoundGet, vol_Master, Master
SoundGet, vol_Wave, Wave
Progress, 1:%vol_Master%
Progress, 2:%vol_Wave%
SetTimer, vol_BarOff, %vol_DisplayTime%
return

vol_BarOff:
SetTimer, vol_BarOff, off
Progress, 1:Off
Progress, 2:Off
return

This script lets you search websites by pushing the windows key and the spacebar. Then you type the first letter of the website you want to search (i.e., G for Google). You can change the websites you include to search.

#NoTrayIcon
menuReferenceTools =
(
&Google Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=@@
&OneLook
http://www.onelook.com/?w=@@
&Phonetic Search on Drugs.com
http://www.drugs.com/search-wildcard-phonetic.php?search_type=phonetic&searchterm=@@
&Abbreviations
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalabbreviations.php
&New Mexico Physicians Database
http://www.docboard.org/nm/
&Zip code
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown_zip.jsp
)

#space::
#+space::
ClipSaved := ClipboardAll
Clipboard =
Send ^c
Sleep 100
CreateMenu("mRef", menuReferenceTools, "ReferenceTools")
Menu mRef, Show
Clipboard := ClipSaved
ClipSaved =
Return

ReferenceTools:
RunMenuItem(menuReferenceTools, A_ThisMenuItemPos)
Return

CreateMenu(_menuName, _menuDef, _menuLabel)
{
Loop Parse, _menuDef, `n
{
If (Mod(A_Index, 2) = 1) ; Odd
{
Menu %_menuName%, Add, %A_LoopField%, %_menuLabel%
}
}
}

RunMenuItem(_menuDef, _index)
{
Loop Parse, _menuDef, `n
{
If (_index * 2 = A_Index)
{
StringReplace toRun, A_LoopField, @@, %Clipboard%, All
Run %toRun%
Break
}
}
}
;

This script will give you the date in short form, i.e., 07/14/2011.

#NoTrayIcon
::ds::
FormatTime, CurrentDateTime,, MM/dd/yyyy ;
SendInput %CurrentDateTime%{space}
return

::yds::
today = %a_now%
today += -1, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MM/dd/yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::ydd::
today = %a_now%
today += -2, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MM/dd/yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::yd3::
today = %a_now%
today += -3, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MM/dd/yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::yd4::
today = %a_now%
today += -4, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MM/dd/yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::yd5::
today = %a_now%
today += -5, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MM/dd/yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

This script will give you the date in long form, i.e., July 14, 2011.

#NoTrayIcon
::dsx::
FormatTime, CurrentDateTime,, MMMM d, yyyy
SendInput %CurrentDateTime%{space}
return

::ydsx::
today = %a_now%
today += -1, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MMMM d, yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::ydx2::
today = %a_now%
today += -2, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MMMM d, yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::ydx3::
today = %a_now%
today += -3, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MMMM d, yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::ydx4::
today = %a_now%
today += -4, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MMMM d, yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

::ydx5::
today = %a_now%
today += -5, days
FormatTime, today, %today%, MMMM d, yyyy
SendInput %today%{space}
return

More suggestions - Cathy

[ In Reply To ..]
Oops! Those scripts above in the final scripts look terrible. If you want them, I can email them to you.

I use AHK instead of Instant Text for the headings just because it is faster (easier to create the scripts and I think they might expand a bit faster too). AHK is also good for anything that you need to program (like the dates or website searches) since you can't do that in Instant Text.

Other suggestions for scripts would be things that you have to use your mouse for. You can create a script so that you can do it with the keyboard instead. Just use the Window Spy that comes up when you right click an AHK script and find the mouse coordinates for what you want to do. Then you just create a script with "Click {mouse position} and assign the keyboard shortcut. Other things good for AHK scripts are QA things (like if you always have to send to QA for a missing visit date you can have it put the text in the QA box for you to make it go faster). Also helpful are demographics searches if you can copy and paste. If you have the same dictators a lot and SR makes the same error repeatedly with them you can put the correction into an AHK script to make it go faster.

Wealth of information - MR

[ In Reply To ..]
Wow! What a wealth of information you are. I have a call set up this afternoon with my VR trainer to check out the speed and F12 issue. I can't wait to implement your suggestions. I'll check how to email you correctly again because I'd love to talk to you off-board. To the other poster: I have InstantText but decided to use AutoHotKeys so I could program commands using the ALT key instead of Ctrl to keep my hands on the home keys. For example, for me it's more efficient to use Alt + K to cursor forward then moving my hands to the Ctrl + Right Arrow and back to the home keys to edit.

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I'm wondering if anyone has any productivity tips for staying focused that they'd like to share. I've been doing this for so many years, but it seems like a daily struggle to sit still for six to eight hours a day and just type report after report, especially when the laundry and housecleaning always seems to be calling out to me. I've tried the 25 minutes on/5 minutes off without much success and am wondering what else works for people. Thanks for any sh ...

May 05, 2010

Company has recently started switching work from straight typing to VR editing using M-Modal. They claim it is 85% accurate....I beg to differ. I'm thinking MAYBE 60%. Does anyone have any tips on how to increase productivity with this program? I want to give it a solid shot before I look at other opportunities that are out there.....or, God forbid, have to develop job skills entirely outside of transcription. ...

Apr 10, 2014

Hi, I just got a free trial of Instant Text. I used to use Smartype, so I have it set up close to that. However, I have some expanders that are supposed to include my field markers, which are denoted as { } and IT is not including these. I really need them in some of my entries. Is there anyone here who may be able to help me with this? Thanks. ...

Jun 13, 2010

We're starting EditScript soon and we were told our current expander InstantText is not compatible. I have read the archives and apparently others are using them together. Anyone using them both now? Anything I should know. ...

Aug 26, 2011

I am a very spoiled MT, having worked with Dictaphone's ESP expander for years (which I love!). However, in the next week I will need to purchase a shortcut program/phrase expander to use with Microsoft Word. Please explain the differences between features of Shorthand 10 and Instant Text. Can you copy and paste text (entries) into each one? Can you import entries from other programs? What about copying, deleting, etc. -- can you do all that from the mai ...

May 26, 2010

nm ...

Jun 21, 2012

Can't find it on the IT forums and Tech Support is not open yet. Have interview today, so would appreciate the info. Thanks. ...

Nov 19, 2013

Can anyone tell me how they linked InstantText when using the Scribe platform? I've never had trouble linking IT before, but Scribe doesn't even come up as an option to link to. Thanks. ...

Oct 29, 2009

Which one is most MT friendly to use? TIA. ...

May 01, 2012

I thought they were 2 different services. Everyone is buying out everyone, so who knows. All the small companies have been merged I guess. I thought Nuance was out of New York and were the primary with VR. Maybe one has to keep up with the changes and be a member and pay the dues and go to the meetings with AAMT and be a CMT to keep up with the changes, even though you still get 4 cents. ...

Jun 14, 2012

I just don't get it. When they started doing these productivity checks, I was at aan "inactive time" of a whopping 40% . . . or so they said. I have steadily improved it every week and have dropped it down to 18, then 15, then 9, 9 and again 9. However, my pay hasn't changed. Doesn't that seem extremely odd? Are we being cheated? ...

Jul 13, 2013

CALCULATOR just of a stupid waste of time. I use a notebook, pencil, and calculator to track all the info I need to make sure I make my line count. I wonder how much time was spent and how much $$$ was paid to come up with this waste of time. We actually do real work, but a lot of employees at MModal seem to have difficulty justifying their (probably much larger than our) paychecks ...

Aug 21, 2013

I have decided that I am not going to stress about productivity any more. I will do the best I can on each report, go as fast as I can, and if it's not good enough.....well, just let the chips fall where they may! ...

Mar 23, 2010

Anyone got tips on pacing themselves or how to make things go smoother. I am a new MT and really want to do well since I left a good job to work from home, as it was a dream of mine. I realize that patient is a virtue. Something that I would like to possess more of. I am setting up my shortcuts, and feel like I am working my fingers to the bone, and not getting anywhere. Any tips and advice on things that will help me move right along will be much helpful. ...

Jul 15, 2011

Been tracking my work for the last couple of years on ASR, am able to calculate my paycheck usually within a dollar of what it should be upon deposit into my account, and thought I'd share some tips I've learned from ASR: Keep your fingers on the keyboard. Anyone who says they are bored doing ASR isn't doing it right. It is just as challenging as typing, even more so because of the concentration required. It is much like playing the piano in that one's fingers are always mov ...

Apr 07, 2010

Does anyone out there have their productivity bonus taken away if you make too many errors? For example, where I work if an incorrect date is put on a report or if a report is typed on the incorrect encounter we lose QA points. That then is added to the random QA done every month and if you go below a certain percentage you do not get your productivity bonus. Just wondering if this is standard? ...

May 22, 2010

Anyone know any good advice on increasing productivty using Medrite or just in general? I have been working for almost a year since graduating and i'm getting better slowly but surely, but i'd like to see more progress, as my pay rate is on the low side and I figured if I can be faster than I can kind of give myself a raise. Any help would really be appreciated. ...

Nov 30, 2010

Gross Lines? Net Lines? What exactly does that mean. Should net lines be more? If I really average what they say I do, I should be making 27/hour??? I times the net lines by my rate = 27. Well, that is for SURE not the case. I only wish. And what difference does it make whether we use the mouse or not IF that is the most efficient way? Will their ridiculousness never cease to amaze me? ...

Dec 09, 2010

Been told in the past not to bother with keeping a job log. Got my first productivity report today and boy and I glad I didn't listen to them and continued keeping my log and screen prints. They only show base numbers. No accounting for: Having to use mouse because keyboard shortcuts are hard on carpal tunnel suffers. No time allowed for their FTR without QA research in past reports. Inconsistencies on slider bar. (they're never wrong.....WRONG) No time allo ...

Jan 24, 2011

like such a failure? Average lines per hour 250+ ASR (which I thought was pretty darned good for our ASR), and average inactive time 1.0 per report. In the space of the past week, I find my daughter telling me I do not do a proper job in taking care of her son, my husband tells me that his house has never been messier and that I dont care for myself anymore, after scrubbing the carpets my cat puked all over the place as if to prove "I missed a spot" and then the productivity re ...

Apr 13, 2011

My actual ASR lph and what they say I could do if there wasn't any "inactive" time is usually almost double. I have no idea how I can humanly close that gap. And yes, I am not using the dreaded mouse. I put my nose to the grind stone with absolutely no inactivity due to doing anything other than edit, and yet, I still come up with the lph they report I am doing rather than what they think I should be able to do without any inactivity. Interesting that this time they had a mouse click re ...

Nov 11, 2011

Does anyone get emails weekly or every other week with their statistics for DEP and ASR? I've been getting these and it includes suggestions to get more productivity such as, using left/right arrows, ctrl+shift+left, etc. It also give me total gross AST activity length, length of time an ASR job is open, length of time spent making changes to an ASR, total inactivity length. I don't know what to think about this, except that they want more work out of me. ...

Feb 14, 2012

AND THIS is what they come up with??? Hey MTs, it's all your fault! We're gonna try to help you reduce all that inactive time you're spending! Couldn't be anything on our end! It's absolutely insulting. ...

May 10, 2012

Just curious . . . was anyone else shocked by an extremly high inactive time on their productivity report? I was given an inactive time of a whopping 42%!!!!!! How could that possibly be when I've never even been repriomanded for not producing enough? So if this inacive time is accurate, that would mean that out of 8 hours a day, I am somehow sitting here for over 3-1/2 hours not working, and yet somehow still meeting my line quota? Just wondere ...

Jun 14, 2012

Any Precyse MTs having trouble meeting the 96% production time expectation? How are you managing to do it? Work off the clock? Thanks. HR is supporting this push. It was 35 hours on a 40 hour week, then 37.5 now 38.5. thanks... ...

Jun 20, 2012

Questions on understanding this productivity report. I believe the "Your gross SR lines per hour" is the MModal calculation of our production for that week. Is this correct? If so, why is my weekly calculation quite a bit higher than theirs? Also, apparently the average MT production is 195 lph. Do most of you average this much? ...

Jun 28, 2012

After AGAIN seeing more productivity and no increase in my pay, I sent my CCM an e-mail asking to explain it. Will keep you all posted! Maybe everyone should do the same, let them see how frustrated we all are. Betcha M*Modal is the only one reaping any benefits from our increased productivity. Bet the suits are getting major bonuses while we can barely keep our heads above water. ...

Mar 26, 2013

Can anyone doing coding tell me how your productivity is figured? Are there a certain number of jobs you have to code within a certain time period? I know with transcription it is minutes or lines or however your employer figures it, but did not know about coding. ...

Apr 06, 2014

I am looking for suggestions to speed up my productivity. I have been with a company going on 7 months. Besides the fact that I have had numerous problems with their Service Manger, which has slowed my production, but I also use Dragon Speech; not only does that help with accuracy, but production. None the less, for a FT contractor, we are suppose to be doing a minimum of 1100 lines in an 8-hour shift. I work at times 14+ hour days, 6 days a week and still fall short by roughly 200-300 lines a d ...

Dec 02, 2014

Can someone tell me how they calculate their productivity to get an hourly average...tired of watching the tracker software go up and down..thanks ...