B is for Books!
Medical transcriptionists couldn’t live without our books. The books we used in our school or training, reference books, dictionaries, puzzle books. For an MT, it’s about language, so books tend to be a popular thing with us. Most MTs I know also have that “rainbow of color” on their bookshelves, the Stedman’s Word Books. When you hear the words “rainbow books,” you just know what someone is talking about.
Now our world is changing and more and more is becoming available in electronic format. We can have all of the our dictionary and all of the word books electronically. I see many MTs making that switch. I see still others who are hanging onto their books, refusing to move to anything electronic. “I’m a book person,” you will hear them say.
I’m frankly torn on this one. I have always been a book person. I just love the feel of a book in my hands, whether I’m researching something or reading. About a year ago, while living in Barbados, I just got tired of hauling books back to the country in my suitcases. They were heavy and took up way too much room in my suitcase. I had a hard time finding a lot of selection of books there so I would buy my books when I was back in the States. Then I got an Amazon Kindle Wireless Reading Device 
With transcription, I find I use a lot of online resources. At the same time, I try to carefully steer students on what online resources to use until they learn enough to be sure it’s a reliable source. I haven’t gone to electronic word books, however, I do use a subscription to the Benchmark KB for some things. It has a medical dictionary, word books, and the Book of Style, so it can be useful to have all of that in one place.
How about you? Are you a book person or an electronic reference person? Share your thoughts and let’s see!
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Hello,
It seems to me that I am a book person. I think that watching my mom all of those years use the books; I just picked up the habit. I have a complete rainbow of color, thanks to my mom. I also have found that I am a Stedman’s person. Now, if I heard a word and only part of it, I will use Google to determine what the word is. I also do that with medications. It is just your preference of which thing that you like to do more.
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Kathy Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 7:45 am
Pam, you tend to operate like me. I try to move to more electronic things, but I still want my books handy!
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I am pretty much a book person myself. I LOVE books. I do use the internet extensively, however, and it is extremely important to know where your information is coming from in that regard. The internet is so much faster, and time is money. Perhaps this year I will be able to subscribe to Benchmark KB; I have heard great things about it. So, I guess you could say I am also a hybrid.
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Kathy Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:59 am
Benchmark IS a great product and I am hoping we can develop a relationship with them here. I have used it and love it.
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Hello,
I am a hybrid as well. I love to read and I am never without a book to read (physical or electronic). There is always a book with me though most people don’t even know it because I am a huge geek and have been reading books on an electronic device since I got my first PDA. Now I use my iPod Touch with Kindle software. I have a rainbow of color slowly growing on the shelf beside my desk, but I also do most of my research online as well. Sometimes I find a book faster and other times I just like being able to double check in an actual book.
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Kathy Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:00 am
Now see, I would hate to be without my Kindle. Recently, though, I’ve actually bought a few “real” books and it’s nice to have that feeling again. Still, my Kindle always wins out for portability and being able to just take my books anywhere, without having a lug around a lot of heavy things.
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