Pay with Dict8 continued

[Chrissols]

Hi all........

@danblack87 and was the caller super sweet and totally unlike the DICT8 office staff 😂 if so then they must be having problems getting staff to type the crap coming out at the moment. I shall await my call with bated breath 🙄😂🙄

@danblack87 thank you for the warm welcome

I haven’t had a call yet, but I don’t answer unknown numbers, just think if it’s important they will leave a message

@Chrissols - I got the impression from the woman I spoke with that she they were not enjoying their task, possibly doing it reluctantly. I tried to answer as I was expecting another call but they hung up after only a few rings as if to prevent someone from answering. 1471 gave the number, which I checked. When I was speaking to her the replies she gave sounded standarised as if she was reading from a prepared answer sheet. I just think it is unbelievable. They obvious realise there are problems - poor quality dictation and low pay. Easy to deal with. The poor dictation might take a little time to sort out, the pay they could easily raise another 1p a line.

@Chrissols Hi everyone hope you have had a good day I’m looking for recommendations for the best (cheapest but good quality) IT equipment to do my DICT8 work on. I only have a HP laptop and i need a proper keyboard. Also do I need any special software to be able to download the transcripts from DICT8? Thank you.

@paula035 - have you received your DICT8 booklet yet? That contains all the info on preparing and sending your invoice, what equipment you need, links for buying a foot pedal (with slight discount) etc. DICT8 (and Tpro) provide the software, however other companies may not.

@paula035 no, you don't need any special software, Dict8 is the easiest system I have ever worked on. I use a desktop, purely because I find it easier, and philips foot pedal, I believe you can buy these through Dict8, I got mine off Amazon. I also use a full headset to block out surround noise, it makes the dictation much clearer.

@Gally123 even 2p a line would be a drop in the ocean to them but they are more likely to put it back 1p 🤣🤣

@Gally123 thanks for prompt reply. No I haven’t received it yet. Thank you I will wait for that. I don’t want to panic but and waste money that’s why I thought I’d ask for recommendations. Thanks again

@Chrissols thanks for your reply. What do you use if you don’t mind me asking

@paula035 don't mind at all. I use a Lenova desktop as it's nice and neat (all in one and very compact), a philips foot pedal as recommended by Dict8 (I found it cheaper on Amazon and it came the next day), and a JVC headset. I just have a standard keyboard, but comments on here a while back said the mechanical ones are good (I don't really know what they are)

@Gally123 yes a pay rise is definitely needed especially as the dictation is causing massive loss of earnings.

I applied to Tpro over the weekend so fingers crossed.

@Meha5a - my main Tpro hospital was showing over 900 dictations this morning (I have not looked at the other hospital but that usually has more). They are very busy.

@Chrissols thanks for advice on equipment

@Meha5a - im like Gally123 Ive had 900 plus on mine at Tpro. They are very busy. I was prompted to help with specialties that are really behind they are so very busy. Good luck. On the note of being contacted, Ive had 3 calls now from London and when ive answered it was silent and someone hung up not sure if these are scam numbers or Dict8 They came in on 020 numbers with London showing. I think the whole thing is a waste of time if they are ringing round all transcribers that work for them. Its obvious why people arent producing quantity or quality anymore why ring 5000 people to.ask what they think. I wonder if like Gally123 said they are noticing the long standing loyal transcribers are typing less than they used to so their bank balance will be going down too if we arent producing. To me its a pointless exercise, waste of money and time of their own staff. Theyd do better getting them tackling the crap on the system to get rid. I find it really strange too the last few days ive had no more than 20 showing again with a few decent ones, a bit different to 100s or so all.last week. @paula035 - Wish you luck hope you get a specialty thats decent. By the way dont let our moans put you off, it helps ro offload sometimea as it can be difficult when you work alone and no one to sound off to like you could in the offfice to someone thats why this thread helps so much.

@carosel2 Thank you me too. No not at all it’s good to have a soundboard and release any frustrations to. I just appreciate all the support from everyone

@carosel2 or maybe the staff in the office have had to type this crap, seeing as though we're not and they've had enough too hence the caring telephone calls 😂😂😂😂😂

I was wondering why they didn't just send a questionnaire out via email, makes me suspicious so carful what you say ladies !

@carosel2 - the DICT8 phone number was 0800 121 8015 which is a free phone number and not a London number - I checked on google before I rang them back.

@Gally123- it was a 020 with same digits apart from last one where it altered 3 times, itl be a scam then,.funny how.it came in as a London number in these circumstances thats why I thought maybe it was them. I agree with @Mehe5a though im sceptical at these phonecalls its odd, im sure theyve rung but what are they trying to achieve out of it all. I think there are cheaper and quicker ways of doing it. I was thinking perhaps its just the specialties which are poor at the moment but mine are atrocious and I havnt heard anything, as yet anyway. At least Tpro are a lifesaver at the moment and I have had some lovely feedback from them recently it makes you want to help them out more.

@Paula035 - Welcome to the madhouse! I am sure you will be fine once you get started. I also use a Lenovo Desktop the same as @Chrissols as it is very compact (basically just a screen in front of you).

You could always buy a cheap keyboard and attach it to your laptop if you wanted to, (that's what I did when I first started working for Dict8 about 7 years ago), so that you avoid any expense when just starting out.

Good luck and everyone here is very friendly and will help you with any queries

@paula035 welcome to the thread, I found the thread in lockdown and can honestly say it has made a huge difference to my home alone working life and am grateful for all the support from my fellow DICT8ers

I am in the Lenovo desktop gang 😂 I have also just brought a Corsair gaming mechanical keyboard (50.00) which is amazing. I had issues with my shoulder coming on and fingers aching but now I am bouncing off the keyboard and if it wasn't for the poor dictation I believe I would be onto a real winner !

@Meha5a where did you buy your keyboard? I have been dithering about buying one, but hearing you say how good it is has just made me make the decision to get one.

@Meha5a Thank you for the welcome and advice re equipment. Everybody has been so supportive on this thread I am so glad I came across it. I can’t wait to get started now just waiting for DICT8 to issue my username and password and then I can get set up hopefully.

@Chrissols, Currys. It really has made a difference to my shoulder. Don't be put off by the light show that comes with the keyboard as you can turn this off. Mine has 6 keys down the side of the keyboard that you can record key strokes i.e date, hospital number up to 50 key strokes and attach to the keys so you don't have to keep typing the same thing over and over just press one key and hey presto😀 best £50.00 ever spent for work equipment.

@Meha5a will order one this evening, sounds brill, especially being able to use the keys for common phrases, will save loads of time, thanks for the info

@Chrissols just to say some of the keyboards do not come with hand rests mine has a removable one.