MTips E-Zine
Newsletter for MT’s using MS Word
Vol 1 No 12 October 21, 2001
Laura Bryan Editor
You have received this newsletter because you previously subscribed to MTips E-Zine. Please see subscription information below.
Table of Contents:
1.
Feature Article: Snipping Mr.
Clippit
2. QuickTakes-Keyboarding Tips:
How to Impress the Technical Support Guy
3.
Technical Advice: Ideas for
Win2000
4. Bloopers-Advice for your Physician
5.
Other Sites To See-A List Stumper Terms
So, how do you feel about Mr.
Clippit? I haven’t met too many
transcriptionists who appreciate his annoying antics! I found him most annoying when he would suddenly appear as I
typed “Dear John”. Just how much help
do you need to type the umpteenth letter of the day? As with any other feature of MS Word, you have options when it
comes to getting help-or not getting help, as the case may be. You can choose to not install the Office
Assistant during a custom installation process, you can un-install the Office
Assistant, or for the less computer savvy, you can simply turn him “off.” To do this, press F1 for Help, or choose
Microsoft Word Help from the Help menu.
In the question box, choose Options or right-click on Clippit and select
Options. In the Options dialogue box,
remove all the check marks. Removing
the check mark at “Help with Wizards” will prevent Clippit from appearing when
you type a letter. If you like the idea
of getting help from a character, but not necessarily a paperclip, select the
Gallery tab and preview some of the other characters available. In Word 2000, my favorites are Rocky the
dog, who will not piddle on your carpet, and Linx the cat, who would never
dream of scratching your couch. In Word 97, you will find characters such as
the Genius, Dot, and Will (as in Shakespeare).
If you choose one of these other Helpers, you may need the Install disk
to load the new character.
The System Properties dialogue box gives you helpful information about your computer, including your version of Windows, the amount of memory installed, the processor, current resources, and much, much more. The easiest way to access this dialogue box is to press and hold the Windows Logo key while pressing the Pause/Break key. The Logo key is found on either side of the spacebar and the Pause/Break key is located in the upper right-hand corner of your keyboard. Whenever you call for technical advice/service, have this information available. Also, when you need information about MS Word, you can find this information under the Help menu. Click Help, then choose About Microsoft Word. In the box that opens, you will see the current version of Word. You can also see if you have installed any service packs (SR-1, SR-2).
MTWerks Calendar of Events
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events. Don’t miss your chance to learn how to Work Less, Earn More!
Greater Dallas Chapter AAMT Annual Symposium at Children’s Medical Center-November 3, 2001. MTWerks and Bob’s PCWerks will have an exhibit table, and Bob will be speaking on safeguarding your computer. Be sure to stop by and say “Hello”, and come with lots of questions for Bob! You do not have to be a member of AAMT to attend this symposium. For more information, email kphess1@swbell.net or click here to access the Greater Dallas Chapter web site: http://www.homestead.com/gdcaamt/index.html
Reston-Northern Virginia Chapter AAMT Workshop Saturday, November 10, 2001 from 1-4 pm. “MS Word: Make It Work for You!” A three hour productivity workshop for MT’s using MS Word 97 or 2000. Falls Church, VA (Telestar Building). Cost is $30. Open to everyone, including non-AAMT members. You do not have to be an MT to attend. To register, contact Mary David at MaryDavid@cox.rr.com.
Technical Advice
From Bob’s PCWerks
In the last newsletter, we categorized different operating systems and productivity software. In previous issues, I have given tips for those running Windows95, 98, and ME. Many of these tips work for NT4.0/Windows2000 (NT5.0), but some do not. I thought that I would level the playing field by giving NT/Windows2000 users a tip just for them.
Typically, all users on a Windows95, 98 and ME computer see pretty much the same thing (with some exceptions). They have the same programs and in most cases the same identity. But for NT/Windows2000, different users can have their own Desktop, unique Start/Program menus, and in fact, a different Normal.dot and separate AutoCorrect file as if it were a completely different computer.
The following tip is for Windows2000 only!
The typist that is running Windows2000 on their home computer can use this feature to set up different "normals" complete with unique AutoText and AutoCorrect for different situations. Keep in mind that if you are working on a network, you will need to have your network administrator create the different Identities.
If you are a home user, go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Users and Passwords and click Add. Follow the directions. Once you have added a new User, you can log in as this new User. Windows2000 will automatically create a new Desktop, Program menu, email client, etc. for you. When you open Word, you will have a new Normal.dot and a new AutoCorrect file.
To confirm file locations for templates, AutoCorrect and other files used by Word, go to the File Locations tab under Tools/Options and write down the applicable path names.
Bob’s PCWerks specializes in computer services for medical transcription. Services include custom built computers and servers, upgrades, repairs and digital voice systems. For more information, see
Do you teach
medical transcription?
Will your
students be prepared to work with today’s
technology?
MTWerks is pleased to announce the Make It Your Own Workbook. The workbook divides the Make It Your Own Productivity Manual
into five lessons which include learning objectives, tutorial videos on CD,
review questions, and hands-on exercises.
Electronic quizzes in FlashQuiz format are available for assessing
progress and understanding. Designed to
augment medical transcription distance-learning programs and community college
curriculum. For more information, click
on the link http://www.MTWerks.com/curriculum.htm or email Laura@MTWerks.com
.
This Week’s
Blooper:
You may want to share this list of
Dictation Guidelines with your “favorite” dictator! Thanks to Uma for sharing them with me!
DICTATION GUIDELINES FOR PHYSICIANS
Adherence to these guidelines
will assure the highest quality transcribed reports in the shortest amount of
time.
1. At the beginning of the dictation, take as deep a breath
as you possibly can; now try to dictate the entire report before you have to
inhale again.
2. When dictating a particularly difficult word or phrase,
please turn your head and speak directly into your armpit.
3. If you have to sneeze or cough suddenly, please remove
your head from your armpit and sneeze or cough directly into the microphone.
4. If you must eat while you dictate, please stay away from
foods such as marshmallows, bananas and pudding. Apples, pretzels and celery are much better choices.
5. Please don’t stop dictating when you yawn. It throws off our rhythm.
6. Do not stop dictating in the event of minor background
noise such as an office party, the janitor’s vacuum cleaner, a screaming
infant, etc. Again, it throws off our
rhythm.
7. Talk as fast as you possibly can. Fair’s fair-after all, we type as fast as we
possibly can!
8. Dates of admission and discharge are not important for old
H&Ps or discharge summaries.
9. Abbreviate whenever possible. Everyone loves a mystery and we are trying to learn new skills
such as mind-reading.
10. And finally, be sure to wait until the end to tell us what
kind of report you are dictating.
Hope
these didn’t hit too close to home! J
If you like the information in MTips Ezine, get it all
together in the
Make It Your Own Productivity
Manual
and CD Tutorial
Special Combination Price
Book and CD
$39.95
To order, see http://www.MTWerks.com
Or call 1-877-320-1241
Other Sites to
See:
Many of you have probably
discovered MTDesk, but have you found this page?
http://www.mtdesk.com/lststump.shtml
This is a list of “Stumper Terms
for new MTs”, but veterans might get a kick out of this list, too. Check it out!
MTWerks is your resource for using MSWord for Medical Transcription.
We hope you enjoy your subscription to MTips E-Zine. MTWerks also offers on-site training and seminars in addition to presentations and workshops for AAMT meetings and other organizational meetings. For more information, send an email to Laura@MTWerks.com or see our web site at
All newsletter editions are archived at
http://www.MTWerks.com/newsletter.htm
If you have questions, comments, suggestions for future articles or a favorite blooper, please write to Laura@MTWerks.com.