Sharing.........

[geekgirldany]

Thanks Bob. Wasn't too sure how far to go on the scanning. Like I said before I was scanning alot of things and it just took up to much time. If I efile their return I ususally keep the copy of federal and state W-2s. If not I make copies and I will start making copies of 1099s also.

[BOB W]

1099

I should of been clearer> 1099R and W2s. I also scan in signed Elf Forms.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Clients watching

Yes, my monitor is on a computer desk behind my desk so I just turn around after the interview and pull up their name and start their return. With the larger screen, they can see what I am doing. If I make a typo they will stop me even before I have a chance to go back and correct it. (You know sometimes your hands aren't on the home keys).

But they have enjoyed seeing the information put into the computer. I do think it gives them a feeling of a little more control as they see what you are doing.

But then sometimes when it is a very simple return, you have to play around for a few minutes so it doesn't look like it only took you 5 minutes to do their return. Returning clients with only w-2 wages and nothing else can be done in less than 5 minutes.

Linda F

[BOB W]

Watching, ....

.... I think is good for the clients. Like you say, they have a say in what is happening. I use it as my excuse for having them sign the 8879 before the return is printed.

I don't fear them getting educated and moving on to TT. Although some thought they could and returned anyway due to one issue or another. It just wasn't worth their time.

[BOB W]

File Cabinets, ....

.. I no longer maintain metal file cabinets for my clients tax returns or any other client papers. Experience has shown very little use of these folders and I am happy to have CSs "File Cabinet" to store my copy, which happens automatically when I print the final client copy of whatever I'm printing.

Some may believe that computer stored documents only happens when it is scanned in, not true. You can print right into a computer stored document. Some use .PDF others use .txt. or whatever.

[BOB W]

Laptops.....

..... always difficult to work with when it comes to number entry. I have a keypad/optical mouse combo that plugs into a USB port that is made by Genovation, the model I use 636.

I personally never liked laptops, but I don't travel to any of my clients' place of business so I never needed one. The times that I do use my laptop I want to be able to enter numbers through my keypad.

[DTS]

Wireless

What is needed to use a wireless mouse and keyboard? Can I just purchase them and start using or do I need to do something special? These are something I would like to start using now.

Thanks,
Dennis

[BOB W]

Dennis.......

... I've never used one but I'm sure there is nothing special, other than sending units that probably plugs into the mouse and keyboard pin slots.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Nothing special

No there is nothing special needed. You just unplug the old keyboard and mouse and plug in the new one. You need to position the plugged in part (don't know what it is called) so that the keyboard and mouse can get the signal. Occasionally a message will appear on my screen that says the signal is weak. So I just move the mouse and it is fine.

You get a disk to install the device.I did it myself in just a few minutes.

Linda F

[DTS]

Linda, a follow-up question(s)

After I posted, I thought there would be some sort of sending unit hooked into the computer that sits on top of our desks or close to the computer. Is this correct? My next question is to see if you noticed any drop in keyboard or 10-key speed due to the wireless setup?

Dennis

[Bill Tubbs]

Wireless is just fine

After I posted, I thought there would be some sort of sending unit hooked into the computer that sits on top of our desks or close to the computer. Is this correct? My next question is to see if you noticed any drop in keyboard or 10-key speed due to the wireless setup?

Yes, the receiver (the part that is plugged into the computer) sits someplace between the computer and the mouse. I've heard some people have had success in attaching them to the side or underside of the desk (to get it off the desk surface). Just keep in mind that the farther the signal has to go, or the more things through which the signal goes, the more problems you could encounter and/or the shorter the battery life.

I have not noticed any degradation of performance of the wireless mouse. AND, I haven't had to bother with the stupid cable either! That used to really annoy me at times (the way the cable hangs of the desk tended to restrict motion at times).

-- 10-key on laptop --
Also, on the numeric keypad on the laptop topic, I have purchased 2 numeric keypads over the past few years -- one was a PS/2 (round) connector and the newer one is a USB connector. But the annoying thing is, when I have NumLock on (so I can use the separate numeric keypad as numbers), if I type on the regular, letter portion of the keyboard, the NumLock changes the meaning of some of those keys (e.g. J = 1, K = 2, L = 3, or something like). So, I have to turn NumLock on while typing numbers, then turn it off to type text, etc. etc. ad nauseum.

Bill

[DTS]

Bill

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just curious about all this!

What type of batteries do these units use and what is the recharge rate for them, days, weeks, etc? Or do you just replace when done?

Thanks,
Dennis

[Chief]

Batteries

The Microsoft keyboard and mouse that I had used double A batteries. They usually last about a month with daily use. I got tired of replacing batteries and gave my equipment to a nephew in SC. There is no warning; suddenly the mouse doesn't work or the keyboard doesn't work. You have to remember that now you have units that run on batteries.

[DTS]

Chief

Well, the batteries are like a TV remote or calculator. I would not recharge them then, just replace. To tell you the truth, with the way I fight the wires sometimes, I'd replace them daily, if needed! I can buy a pack of about 20 at Costco for a small sum.

Thanks,
Dennis

[Donanita]

Logitech

has a rechargeable mouse that is cordless.Been using for 2 yrs now and haven't had to replace the batteries.Just place the mouse on the charger every night and charges up just fine.