The Internet Age: Many new things have become free in the last few years, thanks to the Internet. No stamps or long distance fees for email, no consulting fee to receive good advice and information, no travel expense to attend workshops, free magazines and music, and lots of new friends without joining a club. In fact, the word "stranger" sounds odd to me now; maybe we need a new word to refer to people we haven't met yet. All of us are smarter than one of us. :)

Telephone: The Web has gone from a gift economy to a booming business alongside the free flow of information and connections, with almost 40% of Americans on the Internet now. We've been cautiously watching for discounts, book coupons or group rates to bring to MT Daily, and lower prices on long distance, Internet service, and computers. I heard from one voice-over IP telephone service that it is as secure as our conventional telephones and could only be intercepted by wiretapping. I am hoping to hear from someone already using VOIP for dictation to be assured that the quality is good enough. I have heard prices from $0-50 per month. If you are using a cheap flat rate and getting good quality, please post on the main board. This could save many of us a lot of money.

Computers: Free computer offers are advertised too. I've found one MT who has a new free computer through one of these programs, and we've added a link to it at http://www.mtdaily.com/marketplace so you can check it out, or you can write Burt at nfcmktg@pacbell.net. Burt has found a way to upgrade his hardware and downsize his budget. He received a new 400 MHz computer with keyboard and mouse, and is now able to do transcription via the Internet. He paid $98 for shipping and a 2-year membership in a $30-per-month purchasing program. This is probably about a $700 value, and upgrades and monitors are available to buy. In other words, he will be buying other items for $700 over two years while using his computer. If he doesn't buy anything one month, he will pay $20 for using the computer.

Internet: Free Internet services are available in some areas through a variety of programs. Burt has found a free Internet service based on referrals rather than ads. See http://www.virtuallyfreeinternet.com/VFID147329632

Travel: I met Burt and his wife in person in 1996. You can read about it at http://www.mtdaily.com/mt2/trip.html, an account of the first business trip I ever took, in 1996. It's too long to reprint here, but it might inspire you to find a tax-deductible way to travel!

1. New Books Board: http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/books

2. Faster web browsing:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7328.html

3. Understanding depression:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7599.html
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/friends/messages3/4433.html

4. Life changes through religion:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/faith/messages/12.html
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/prayers/messages/871.html

5. Adopt a military service person for Christmas:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7616.html

6. MT Y2K compliance required:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7229.html

7. Cleaning cache in Explorer:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7198.html

8. Warning about envelope stuffing:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7166.html

9. Websites listing email scams:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7119.html

10. Charging for headers and footers:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7106.html

11. Changing default browser:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/7064.html

12. Self-Discipline needed:
http://www.mtdaily.com/vent/messages4/543.html

13. Confidentiality and hard drives:
http://www.mtdaily.com/vent/messages4/475.html

14. Nosey coworkers: http://www.mtdaily.com/vent/messages4/423.html

15. Makeup survey:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/646.html

16. Sharing our vices:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/594.html

17. MT snacks: http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/469.html

18. Family Christmas giving:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/432.html

1. Prozac approved for PMDD (severe PMS):
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/pro12_1.html

2. Free sample Stroke Journal: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/

3. New surgical news page:
http://www.surgical911.com/newscenter/news.html

4. Asthma transmitted through BMT:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991104/hl/bon12_1.html

5. Sleep apnea impairs sexual function:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991104/hl/sex14_1.html

6. Should malpractice info on physicians be made public?
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/doc15_1.html

7. Surprisingly successful hair transplant:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991103/hl/hai10_1.html

8. Zicam nasal spray for colds:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/zin14_1.html

9. Spasticity gene discovered:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/gen7_1.html

10. VAC therapy, suction vacuum dressing for better leg healing:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/gun11_1.html

11. Feed your men sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots! Beta-carotene prevents prostate cancer:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/bet4_1.html

12. Lengthening life of transplants:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991101/hl/tra6_1.html

13. Secure e-mail service:
http://www.myhealtheon.com/index.asp?page=/promos/secure_email/index.html

14. Softflex gloves: http://www.softflex.com/

15. Compare medical billing software: http://www.bizopsmarts.com/

16. Website for teen boys with hemophelia:
http://www.centeon.com/na/family/teencafe/scripts/surveytop.asp

17. New melatonin findings:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?st=333&t=7228&p=~br,IHW|~st,408|~r,WSIHW000|~b,*|&c=251288

Thanks for letting others know about the newsletter and the computer deal available through http://www.mtdaily.com/marketplace. I hope more MTs can get onto the Internet and be able to work via the Internet. Thanks to all who help each other on the boards. Don't forget the $30 discount on Smartype for WP5.1, with a free add-on of 13,000 abbreviations ( http://www.mtdaily.com/abbvs.txt) via zipped e-mail attachment. Total price including $8 shipping is $173, an $80 savings over the regular price. Email joeweber@alum.mit.edu, call 617-566-1066 (Boston), or order at http://www.narratek.com. Mention MT Daily Rounds to qualify. No returns with this offer.

Thanks for letting others know about the newsletter. And thanks to all who help each other on the boards. Circulation 4,158. -Mary Morken, mary@mtdaily.com

I've been an MT since 1979. I'm 36 now, and over the last 20 years I have been leading a more sedentary life working from home. I found the numbers on the scale increasing. I had gotten to a point where I was 120 lbs. overweight and size 24 clothes were too small for me. I had at least a thousand "I'll start dieting tomorrows" before I finally became determined that the extra weight HAD to come off. I knew it was time to "kick" my M&Ms addiction while working.

I knew I couldn't start this alone, so I finally gathered enough nerve to visit the MT Daily Dieters' Board. I honestly expected to see posts of people struggling to lose just five lbs. Instead, I found MTs posting about needing to lose anywhere from 10-100+ lbs. I put myself on a low-fat, low-calorie diet and started an exercise program. I don't use diet drugs or supplements; however, some of the dieters do use these modalities, and many types of diets are discussed.

The hardest part for me was the first couple of weeks, because my brain wanted foods that my stomach wasn't even hungry for. I found the support I needed from others on the board to keep me from giving up, and helpful hints on how to handle the munchie urges. We cheer up those who are having a hard time losing weight as much as we cheer the "losers." I have made a lot of friends on this board.

I am ecstatic that I have reached the 100-lb. mark which was my first weight-loss goal. My second goal is to get the other 20 lbs. off.

Visit http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/cindywellborn/welcome.html for more specific information about my self-designed diet plan and to see my before-and-after pictures. If you need to lose five, 50, or over 100 lbs., visit http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/winners, the Dieters' Board. And come and celebrate with me!

1. New MS Word Board: http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/msword

2. Looking for more male MTs: http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/maleroom

3. Editing MTs and Verbatim MTs:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mtbycompany/messages2/2883.html

4. More help with lice:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/mothers/messages/6738.html

5. Corrections for older Stedman's spellcheckers:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages9/534.html

6. Patch for Bubbleboy virus:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/8788.html

7. Stedman's Special:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/8351.html

8. Is decent pay possible?
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/8096.html

9. Requiring weekend work:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/8059.html

10. Who does the bills?
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/974.html

11. Broke a bone?
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/1007.html

12. Favorite turkey dressing:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/1047.html

13. MTs doing MLM:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/ethics/messages/618.html

1. Transcend News Release:
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/991110/ga_transce_1.html

2. Kholesterol Blocker, Ortho-Prefest, etc.:
http://www.hpisum.com/terms/Nov1-99.html

3. Orthopedic surgical protocols:
http://www.alphatecmfg.com/protocol.htm

4. Femhrt, hormones: http://www.centerwatch.com/drugs/dru590.htm

5. Aromasin after Tamoxifen: http://www.centerwatch.com/drugs/dru587.htm

6. Remicade now for RA: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/145046.htm

7. S. pneumoniae urine test: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/14503e.htm

8. Antagon for infertility:
http://www.ivanhoe.com/stream/helpforinfertilecouples.html

9. Heart robot Zeus:
http://www.ivanhoe.com/stream/roboticheartsurgeon.html

10. Searchable Merck Manual:
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/sections.htm

11. Line counter for Word: http://www.thegrid.net/sorsoft/abacus.htm

12. Flat-rate phone service: http://www.accesspower.com

http://www.dialpad.com

13. Find your real age: http://www.realage.com

14. Podiatry equipment:
http://www.surgical911.com/cgi-bin/framemgr.pl?Main=Podiatry+Instruments

15. E-mail newsletter for MT teachers: Write hpi@hpisum.com

16. Free medical terminology courses: http://www.blackboard.com

17. Singers' throat problems: http://www.entertainers-secret.com

18. Click daily to help world hunger: http://www.thehungersite.com

19. Search Medline free: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

20. Medical graphics and movies: http://www.hon.ch/Media/anatomy.html

21. Mothers get smarter:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991110/hl/mem8_1.html

22. Perfect pitch:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991111/hl/moz10_1.html

23. Triax Metabolic Accelerator dangers:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991111/hl/fda13_1.html

24. Virtual colonoscopy with x-ray:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991110/hl/col7_2.html

25. Earlier diagnoses of heart problems thanks to Viagra:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991110/hl/ere9_1.html

26. Drugs for animals cheaper:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991110/hl/ani4_1.html

27. Diabetic neuropathy reversible?
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991110/hl/dia3_1.html

28. Heart disease by state, Kansas lowest:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991110/hl/dia3_1.html

29. Orange juice increases good cholesterol:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991109/hl/ora14_1.html

30. SSRI's increase neurosteroids:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991109/hl/ant1_1.html

31. Elderly heart patients less likely to get aggressive treatment:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991108/hl/ptc11_1.html

32. Pets good for stress:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991108/hl/pet5_1.html

33. Risperidone improves brain function in schizophrenics:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991108/hl/sch8_1.html

34. Transplanting brain cells, hope for MS:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991108/hl/sch8_1.html

35. HIV hidden in resting T-cells:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?st=333&t=7228&p=~br,IHW|~st,408|~r,WSIHW000|~b,*|&c=252402

36. Veterans have higher rate of hepatitis C:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?st=333&t=7228&p=~br,IHW|~st,408|~r,WSIHW000|~b,*|&c=252392

37. 100 most searched-for drugs:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?t=21900&p=~br,IHW|~st,408|~r,WSIHW000|~b,*|

38. Medical clip art: http://www.lifeart.com/

39. The advent of free PCs:
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit19990722.html

40. Thanksgiving fun: http://www.night.net/thanksgiving/fun.html-ssi
http://www.prestonspeed.com/Thanksgiving.html

Visit http://www.mtdaily.com/marketplace for the new Medbookstore.com $25 holidays coupon when you purchase $100 worth of books ($100 worth of books for $75). Also check the computer deal linked there. If anyone is using free phone service for dictation and free Internet service, please let us know about it on the main board.

Take advantage of the $30 discount on Smartype, the leading expander for WordPerfect 5.1, with a free add-on of 13,000 abbreviations (see them at http://www.mtdaily.com/abbvs.txt) via zipped e-mail attachment. Total price including $8 shipping is $173, an $80 savings over the regular price. Email joeweber@alum.mit.edu, call 617-566-1066 (Boston), or order at http://www.narratek.com. Mention MT Daily Rounds to qualify. No returns with this offer.

Thanks for letting others know about the newsletter. And thanks to all who help each other on the boards. MT Daily currently has 10,600 different visitors per day. MT Rounds circulation is 4,189. And grandchild #12 is due in 3 weeks! -Mary Morken, mary@mtdaily.com

Happy Thanksgiving to all USMTs! May you have delicious food and rich soul food, and friends and/or family to gather with. Thirteen generations have been born since the event we remember at this time of year, and we are still very blessed as a nation. We have inherited so much wealth from those who came before us, and it feels like a relay race of passing the legacy on to the next generation. Imagine what the Pilgrims would say to us if they could be with us today, with their perspective on our life!

This week I heard from an MT who has gone through a radical religious life change recently; she has come out of isolation and has a whole new lease on life. She is bursting with joy and can't keep it to herself!

I also got a phone call from an MT student this week, a 60-year-old man I've never met except by computer and phone. Right now, he's a temporary truck driver and at the lowest point in his life. He told me he would be coming through Salt Lake City from Idaho with a heavy load of aluminum ingots. The first winter storm was just arriving when he called Wednesday night. I called Lora who is always ready for an adventure, and we jumped in the van with a few hungry kids in tow and headed over Parley's summit in the rain and snow for a truck stop near the airport. He recognized me from my picture on the web, and we talked fast about MT and life and survival and God, and then it was time to send him off into the storm. The children asked if they could see inside the truck. They were delighted to see the bunks and drawers and even pulled the cord for the horn. With his words of thanks for our visit warming our hearts, we drove slowly back up the mountain through swirling snow, tasting all over again that this is what life is all about!

I once was quoted in an article in Advance as saying my goal was to become a rich old lady as an MT. I said it as a joke, but I feel so fulfilled by having opportunities to help people, and help others help others, that I already have a fat soul! :) As Dolly quoted her late husband in "Hello Dolly": "Money is like manure; it works best when you spread it all around."

Come post some grateful words to inspire others at http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/thanks

1. New Panacryl suture?
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/9657.html

2. MDs doing their own MT:
http://www.mtdaily.com/wwwboard/messages12/9651.html

3. Sisters who are friends:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/friends/messages3/4667.html

4. What makes you feel old?
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/friends/messages3/4560.html

5. Distractions from work:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/pandora/messages/1492.html

6. Radiology turnaround time:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/hospitalmts/messages/1019.html

7. Comparison of two MT courses:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mtbyschool/messages/2837.html

8. Going home from the hospital, to work:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mtbycompany/messages2/3777.html

9. Verbatim dilemma:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/ethics/messages/648.html

10. Getting out of debt: http://www.mtdaily.com/vent/messages4/996.html

11. Legal transcriptionists creating new website:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/legal/messages/1288.html

12. MT ex-supervisors:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/supervisors/messages/291.html

13. Speech recognition article in PC Magazine:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/speech/messages/176.html

14. Diagnosing and managing children with ADD:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/physicians/messages/1057.html

15. Mothers who have lost a child:
http://www.mtdaily.com/mentors/mothers/messages/6791.html

1. Enbrel (etanercept) helping children with RA:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991115/hl/ent13_1.html

2. Enbrel for psoriatic arthritis:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991117/hl/ent10_1.html

3. glucosamine sulfate for OA of knee:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991115/hl/glu14_1.html

4. Exercise one hour per day with variety to lose weight:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991115/hl/obe16_1.html

5. Adenosine protects heart from MI damage:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991115/hl/obe16_1.html

6. Di Bella cancer therapy debunked:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991115/hl/vit5_1.html

7. Salmonella warning for some unpasturized orange juice:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991116/hl/fda10_1.html

8. Nitroglycerin linked to hip OA:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991116/hl/obe8_1.html

9. Never too late to start exercising:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991116/hl/exe3_2.html

10. thalidomide for bone marrow cancer:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991117/hl/tha6_1.html

11. Magnetoencephalography and MRI, progress in brain mapping:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991117/hl/bra9_1.html

12. Taxol and beta-lapachone together kill cancer cells:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991117/hl/tum4_1.html

13. Vasodilator perfusion imaging shows second MI risk:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991117/hl/hea3_1.html

14. Stop smoking planner:
http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9910/htm/smoke.htm

15. Health site for children: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/index.html

16. Cells in PreBotzinger complex in brain control breathing rhythm:
http://www.yourhealth.com/bin/build_page.pl?page=newswire/story&MULT_FILES=reuters/t1118-6f

17. Medical reference center:
http://www.yourhealth.com/bin/build_page.pl?page=reference/ref_center

18. Wound care links: http://www.wound.net/products.htm

19. Speech-language links:
http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/comdis/kuster2/welcome.html

20. Radiographic skeleton:
http://www.scar.rad.washington.edu/RadAnatomy.html

21. Ask health experts:
http://www.xpertsite.com/ShowCategory.asp?category_id=476

22. Networking by telephone: http://www.keen.com/web/default.asp

23. Drug list for nurses:
http://www.nursesPDR.com/members/database/index.html

24. Survey of nursing wages, average $22/hr.:
http://www.rnweb.com/salary.html

25. Drug news for nurses: http://www.rnweb.com/drugs.html

26. Stomach pacemaker for gastroparesis:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?t=21144&c=211193&p=~br,IHW|~st,21054|~r,WSIHW000|~b,*|&d=dmtICNNews

27. In vitro statistics, less multiple births possible:
http://www.drkoop.com/news/stories/november/invitro_embryos.html

28. Avoiding lxodes ticks that cause Lyme in the Northeast:
http://www.drkoop.com/wellness/koop_tips/index.asp

29. Free internet answering machine: http://www.callwave.com/

30. Reporting trash spam email: http://spamcop.net/

31. News of David's bandwidth.com: http://www.light-wave.com

32. New subscription dictation service provider: http://www.spantel.net

Visit http://www.mtdaily.com/marketplace for the new Medbookstore.com $25 holidays coupon when you purchase $100 worth of books ($100 worth of books for $75). Also check the computer deal linked there. If anyone is using free phone service for dictation and free Internet service, please let us know about it on the main board.

Take advantage of the $30 discount on Smartype, the leading expander for WordPerfect 5.1, with a free add-on of 13,000 abbreviations (see them at http://www.mtdaily.com/abbvs.txt) via zipped e-mail attachment. Total price including $8 shipping is $173, an $80 savings over the regular price. Email joeweber@alum.mit.edu, call 17-566-1066 (Boston), or order at http://www.narratek.com. Mention MT Daily Rounds to qualify. No returns with this offer.

Thanks for letting others know about the newsletter. And thanks to all who help each other on the boards. Circulation MT Rounds 4,217. -Mary Morken, mary@mtdaily.com