I admit it -- I'm guilty of googling and checking out various web sites.  In my Internet "research," it has come to my attention how many individuals have written "how-to" books.

Now don't get me wrong -- I'm all for free enterprise -- although the same questions keep rolling around in my head:

If these individuals are so successful in their self-employment and entrepreneurial endeavors, and their business is so profitable -- when did they find the time to write a book?--and,
Why many no longer personally "service" their clients in the business they write about, have shut down the business, or have taken a J-O-B working for someone else? 

Before buying these how-to books, give some thought as to why, if all the success and profits are there, their company may no longer be in existence.  Googling is a powerful tool, and much of the "how-to" is readily available on the Internet for just the cost of the Internet connection.
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I take identity theft seriously.  Too bad the majority of the population are only ho-hum with it. 

I shred ALL personal and client material.  I don't keep any personal information on my computer hard drives -- again either personal or client.

When I accept a loan signing, in my initial call, I advise Borrower(s) that they will need to make a copy of their driver's license, in advance of our signing appointment. 

In over 1,500 loan signings I've completed, I have NEVER had Borrower(s) forget or simply not had time to make a copy of their license in advance.  With that said, why is it that apparently I'm the exception?  When reading the forums, someone is always posing the question of what they are supposed to do because Borrower(s) didn't make a copy of their license?  Suggestions range from carrying a portable scanner/photocopier in their vehicle to whipping out the digital camera from their brief case or pocket, or using their palm pilot or camera phone. 

First of all, if the Borrower(s) is/are serious about refinancing, then they are adults.  I am neither their spouse, mother or care giver.  My one request of making a copy of their license before I arrive is not out-of-reason or a "not-doable request."

A driver's license has name, address, signature, birth date, driver's license number and some even have social security numbers -- all the information needed to steal an identity.  It is not my responsibility to lug a copier/scanner around in my vehicle.  Furthermore, a digital camera can be stolen before downloading the pictures, printing and/or e-mailing the driver's license as an attachment -- or, once downloaded to the computer hard drive, it becomes even more vulnerable to identity thieves that can access computer hard drives and Internet traffic.

Please stop the practice of photocopying/scanning or taking digital photos of someone else's identity!
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Even with the little bit of workers' comp experience I've had, I know that I'm not experienced to take on medical transcription.  I don't find it interesting, however, the reason I don't accept MT is because I don't know, and am not comfortable with medical terminology. 

Because an MT made a one word mistake (which wasn't even a medical term) on a medical report of mine,  I'm entitled to free mammograms for life -- but because this MT "literally" didn't know the difference between typing left and right, there is absolutely no way I will ever step foot in that imaging center again.

Both medical reports and legal briefs have huge impacts on life.

How odd that case law and proper citation formatting are such an integral part of the legal profession that an Independent Contractor, not experienced or familiar with the correct way to type cites, would even consider taking on legal transcription.

I came across the following dialog a few weeks back --

"I'm transcribing a citation, I think, and there's a word I can't get -- on instance is Trading and Marine, Inc., 925(f), 2nd Cameron (????) 572 Second Circuit, 1991.

Is that cameron -- dicameron -- or is cameron a symbol that I should be inserting?"

"... No idea what they're saying because the actual cite is this: Star Trading & Marine, Inc., 925 F.2d 566, 572 (2d Cir. 1991) (Trans-Orient Marine). ..."

"Thank you -- I have not learned how to format citations and know that that is a huge part of the problem that I'm having -- the person I am doing this for may not realize how many citations there are -- she said just to go ahead and type them out and she will format them -- It might be easier for her if I got a really really short course in citations."

"No problem. ... It always bugged me about the 2d and then sometimes there's no spaces where you think there should be logically. ..."

I suppose it would be to much to ask if they've ever heard of the blue book "A Uniform System of Citation."

Kind of makes the difference between my left and right breast pale in comparison.
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Working as an "employee" in a J-0-B setting means that you have a different mind set than that of a self-employed/independent contractor, business owner.

Unfortunately, some self-employed/independent contractors haven't done their homework to know there is a difference, or have failed to adjust their way of thinking.  As a business owner, you make the rules -- rules which define your business practices including charge rates and how and when you perform the duties.

If I have a plumber come out and snake my pipes, he informs me what it will cost -- if I go to the dentist, he tells me what each procedure costs.  Both the plumber and dentist would have a good laugh if I told them upfront what "I" am willing to pay -- my plumbing would continue to be clogged, and my tooth pain would continue worsening.

So why is it that self-employed/independent contractors allow clients to treat them as though it is an employer/employee J-O-B environment?  Recently I was reading a forum post with the following excerpt: