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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2015 9:26:46 GMT -5
Is the use of EBP the reason why I have been getting fees deposited in my account well before I receive the written decision? If so, I very much like EBP.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2015 9:47:19 GMT -5
In 1968 my father brought home a 40 pound monster machine, set it on the kitchen counter and hooked it up to our telephone so he could "magically" receive drillinglogs from wells located in another state. When activated (after first alerting Ma Bell of what he was about to do, an alert that he had to make to the phone company prior to every call) the machine would grind, screech and phycially pound a rotating drum that took about 8 minutes to print out on special paper a single B&W page. It was called a "fax machine". Neighbors would come over to watch it work and the local news was actually going to run a story on this magical machine. And then of course many many people scoffed and said it was too loud, too big too heavy and too slow to ever replace simply mailing paper by US mail. In 1980 I physically wired a Sinclair ZX80 into my television and after much caution and biting of tongue (to avoid touching the 20,000v TV monitor common back then) I managed to produce a blinking gray pixel on my TV screen. I could move the gray pixel around the screen by touching various keys on the Sinclair and eventually could produce typed letters on the screen. (No memory storage, no internet, no printing) Neighbors would come over to watch it work and many scoffed that this "computer" would ever replace newspapers, telephones or fax machines.
Today I see many ALJ's come over to my desk to watch EBB work and many scoff that this newfangled EBB will ever replace their notepads or FIT templates.....
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Post by bartleby on Jan 1, 2015 13:31:54 GMT -5
Papajudge, they do need to do some work on it regarding templates. it is designed to be used while typing notes during the hearing. I can't do that. The DGS FIT templates came out 12-15 years ago and they still haven't made the corrections in it that were needed. Perhaps due to progress we will always be forced to work with defective products?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2015 14:44:09 GMT -5
Bartleby: I actually found that I am pretty proficient at typing in EBB while in hearing questioning claimants. This may simply be because I have done so for years prior using notebooks and laptops in hearings. I fully agree the EBB should be self-tweakable for individual quirks; I would like to be able to delete and/or move around sections of the EBB to suit my tastes. But right now it is one size fits all. I think as EBB develops over the years it will become self-tweaking, more or less like any software now.
IMHO, the worst thing an ALJ, who plans to stay on the job for more than the next 5 years, can do right now is to avoid EBB altogether and not learn it now while it is still in a very very very basic easy to use one size fits all category. An ALJ trying to retro-learn a much more advanced EBB years from now when it or a similar product is the universal means of SSA adjudication would be at a huge technological and case handling disadvantage.
Once SSA goes full blown virtual filing and adjudication via EBB or similar product, one can all but guarantee the private sector will have already followed suit if not sooner. An ALJ who did not learn the e-systems while with the SSA may well find himself a dying techo-dinosaur when he attempts to find post-retirement work into the private sector.
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Post by bartleby on Jan 1, 2015 15:12:45 GMT -5
My typing skills are not so great.
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Post by hopefalj on Jan 1, 2015 17:36:07 GMT -5
For all newbies (like me) I suggest you embrace it, it is the way we are headed. ht HT is right on point. Like it or not, eBP and eBB are here to stay and will be an integral part of ODAR's future. For all the incoming new judges, please do your best to learn eBB at the new ALJ training because the sooner you get use to it, the easier things well be for you. Will we be allowed to dabble in it the first three weeks in the office? Seems like that would be a lot more beneficial to some than watching VODs on the five step process.
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Post by hilltopper on Jan 1, 2015 21:20:29 GMT -5
HT is right on point. Like it or not, eBP and eBB are here to stay and will be an integral part of ODAR's future. For all the incoming new judges, please do your best to learn eBB at the new ALJ training because the sooner you get use to it, the easier things well be for you. Will we be allowed to dabble in it the first three weeks in the office? Seems like that would be a lot more beneficial to some than watching VODs on the five step process. Unfortunately, the answer is, it depends. TigerLaw and I were assigned to an office that always has been at the forefront of early adoption of new systems. So, sometime during the first day, we had been given login ID's and passwords, introduced to the EBP, via CPMS, eView and EBB by our mentors (and some very helpful staff), and then cut loose to tinker on the system. Over those first three weeks, in addition to listening to the VOD's required by the new Judge orientation agenda, we attended several hearings with each of the judges in our office; and, prior to each, were able to review the e-file so we we would have a taste for what we were sitting in on beforehand. In fact, I made my first rookie mistake by exiting eBB by clicking on the "X" in the upper right corner of the window, rather than using the "Exit" button of the program. Nothing like trying to unlock a file while an ALJ is ready to bring a claimant in and is waiting on you to give her access again. ... Didn't make that mistake again. So, again, it depends on whether the office you are assigned to has a strong emphasis on using the tech tools available. And as you have seen on the board (i.e., bartleby's woes) it varies from office to office. ht - (Still an Elder Statesman rather than a Legend)
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Post by gary on Jan 1, 2015 21:25:10 GMT -5
Will we be allowed to dabble in it the first three weeks in the office? Seems like that would be a lot more beneficial to some than watching VODs on the five step process. Unfortunately, the answer is, it depends. TigerLaw and I were assigned to an office that always has been at the forefront of early adoption of new systems. So, sometime during the first day, we had been given login ID's and passwords, introduced to the EBP, via CPMS, eView and EBB by our mentors (and some very helpful staff), and then cut loose to tinker on the system. Over those first three weeks, in addition to listening to the VOD's required by the new Judge orientation agenda, we attended several hearings with each of the judges in our office; and, prior to each, were able to review the e-file so we we would have a taste for what we were sitting in on beforehand. In fact, I made my first rookie mistake by exiting eBB by clicking on the "X" in the upper right corner of the window, rather than using the "Exit" button of the program. Nothing like trying to unlock a file while an ALJ is ready to bring a claimant in and is waiting on you to give her access again. ... Didn't make that mistake again. So, again, it depends on whether the office you are assigned to has a strong emphasis on using the tech tools available. And as you have seen on the board (i.e., bartleby's woes) it varies from office to office. ht - (Still and Elder Statesman rather than a Legend) And now you're Legend! Congratulations! Be sure that at the next meeting someone teaches you the Secret Handshake.
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Post by Missundaztood on Jan 2, 2015 1:30:49 GMT -5
My typing skills are not so great. Have you considered taking a course? I truly believe that my typing class was the most valuable, practical class I have ever taken. May be worth the time invested in increasing efficiency?
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Post by mikeinthehills on Jan 2, 2015 7:19:29 GMT -5
In DC in 2013 for the written decision portion of the testing, I thought my limited two finger typing skills held me back and actually cost me points on on my NOR. I searched the web and the best tutorial I found is here: www.typeonline.co.uk/lesson1.htmlI worked my way through it, have been practicing ever since (including now : ) ) and have become quite proficient. I think it will help me immensely if I am ever offered an ALJ position. And it was relatively painless too.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2015 7:32:42 GMT -5
Taking a typing class prior to becoming or even after becoming an ALJ? This is one of the most forgotten...and the most valuable and practical idea.....I have seen on this board. Bravo suggestion.
As an early 70's HS kid, worried more about being drafted than anything, I completely blew off typing class back then as there was "no way" I would never need to type in any job. (Pre-computer years). Later on I learned that typing was and is now a fundamental requirement for every job out there. Thus I took the online freeebie typing courses (there are many out there) while my kids were whizbanging fingers automatically across keyboards from their date of birth forward.
I would highly encourage any applicant and/or current ALJ who lacks typing and basic keyboard skills to also take online typing courses as you will be typing more or less 95% of your average day.
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Post by johnthornton on Jan 2, 2015 10:52:31 GMT -5
If you can type copious notes during a hearing AND pay close attention to the testimony--more power to you. I find that I can't, so I take handwritten (legible) notes on a form that I have created. I would hate that the agency is going to force us to give up our forms and require typing extensive notes during a hearing. I believe multitasking is a bit of a myth: ergonomics.about.com/od/ergonomicbasics/f/can_people_multitask.htm
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Post by christina on Jan 2, 2015 13:13:56 GMT -5
Re DGS templates, they were the brain child of a very respected ALJ, who is now retired. He had a few year window to get them going and he did. that window passed a few years ago, which is why there have not been recent changes. He and the DGS team spent a lot of time to get them as good as they are and a lot of focus was spent on the decisions. i know they also did the ALJ intsructions but am not sure how long they worked on the instructions
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Post by christina on Jan 2, 2015 14:19:41 GMT -5
hey, when i said DGS, i meant fits although i think there there was a good bit of overlap between the core group of people who worked on both. i think fits means findings integrated templates while dgs means something like document generation (systems?). what fits changed was it required us(as in the writing staff) to have a discussion under each finding of fact/law the ALJ made. in the past, the findings were at the end of the draft with the discussion of all issues earlier in the draft. since there was some overlap between the 2 sections, it was easier than one might think to make transcribing errors between the 2 sections, which could lead to a quick remand. also, fits required us to think and address each finding which i believe has helped with the legal sufficiency on a macro level of the decisions. i am stating this on what i have read from the agency about FITS. history lesson over! and happy new year to all! and post script, if we move to the electronic bench decisions(ebb) for the ALJ's to use when preparing instructions, the decisions may still be in the finding/discussion of finding format that we now use. personally, i found it easier to follow ALJ instructions using fits than ebb although i think ebb, once an ALJ gets used to it, can work very well for the ALJ. ebb can be a great way to take electronic case file notes too although i prefer the electronic highlighter in eview when i review a file.
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Post by maquereau on Jan 2, 2015 18:09:08 GMT -5
I have heard many writers complain about EBB instructions and how cumbersome they are. That said, some people also think that FIT is the be all and end all. It's just a form and it was meant to keep those people on track who would otherwise get lost in the decision writing process. FIT is a guide, but all the thinking still needs to be done by the ALJ and the writer. Somtimes that doesn't happen.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2015 20:00:24 GMT -5
And now you're Legend! Congratulations! Be sure that at the next meeting someone teaches you the Secret Handshake. Gary, you forgot the other rule about buying lunch for the first forum legend you meet in person after becoming a legend yourself, but I will show hilltopper the secret handshake on Monday. Hopefully Funky taught me the correct one!
tiger
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Post by gary on Jan 2, 2015 20:23:26 GMT -5
And now you're Legend! Congratulations! Be sure that at the next meeting someone teaches you the Secret Handshake. Gary, you forgot the other rule about buying lunch for the first forum legend you meet in person after becoming a legend yourself, but I will show hilltopper the secret handshake on Monday. Hopefully Funky taught me the correct one!
tiger
Good catch Cattus Lex. I did forget to tell ht about that rule.
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Post by Ready-Now! on Nov 4, 2015 15:41:29 GMT -5
I just read this and was moved by your statements papajudge. I just wanted to join in and so Very Well Said!
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Post by trifit on Jun 29, 2016 16:07:03 GMT -5
My impression from some of the posts in this thread is that some locations are better than others as far as support, compliance, and general ability to function efficiently. This can make all the difference to whether you love your job or are miserable. I applied for a very narrow list of locations (GALs). Is there a way to learn anything about the locations that might be offered to you before leaving a current job to accept an offer?
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Post by Pixie on Jun 29, 2016 19:51:36 GMT -5
My impression from some of the posts in this thread is that some locations are better than others as far as support, compliance, and general ability to function efficiently. This can make all the difference to whether you love your job or are miserable. I applied for a very narrow list of locations (GALs). Is there a way to learn anything about the locations that might be offered to you before leaving a current job to accept an offer? Now here is a brand new newbie (I approved her application yesterday*) who actually reads the prior posts. I think this one dates back to 2015. Very good trifit. BTW, welcome to the forum. We are glad to have you. Pixie. ________ * Of the 7 or 8 who applied yesterday, she is only one of three who actually followed the instructions and typed a reason in the white box.
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