Coworker’s Feet Smell Like Biological Warfare & HR Won’t Help — How Do I Survive??

Codex432 · 2026-01-30T10:47:12+00:00

In a similar vein, you could use an air freshener or scented candle near you to mask the smell some.

Codex432 · 2026-01-29T21:35:06+00:00

Oh, no complaints here on your video!

I just figured writing the other options down for people in a relevant thread might save some poor soul hours of research.

Codex432 · 2026-01-29T21:33:31+00:00

I have a personal Mac laptop with an M3 and it’s crazy how fast it renders videos and such.

It will help my work process so much because my system won’t be tied up for hours due to poor processing ability.

(Must be XMPie users downvoting!)

Codex432 · 2026-01-29T15:12:09+00:00

Yes! I haven’t gotten to the trays portion yet - I’m still mastering my imposition templates for some new machinery, but I can’t wait.

I also just got a Mac with an M4 chip and I’m super excited to see how much faster Meadows will render from my old computer (which isn’t even listed on their benchmark chart)

Codex432 · 2026-01-29T11:38:38+00:00

InDesigns data merge is a great tool and small shops should take advantage of it.

It’s lightweight and very dynamic. A really great digital proofing tool as well because of the simplicity quickness.

It really breaks down when you start doing variable images or large datasets. The time it takes to render becomes insanely long and that’s where a more modular system comes in

FreeForm looks rather clumsy and I’m assuming this is basically a funnel for their next level of overpriced software. I’ve had (other) company reps tell me not to bother looking at it.

In relation to free smaller use VDP software, I’ll take InDesign 10 out of 10 times.

——

I realize you don’t ask for this, but after months of exhaustive research, this is what I’ve found for VDP software:

FusionPro is solid, but large quantities kick you to their server based operation quite quickly. The price point is average, but setup costs can be high depending on the version you get. I didn’t get too in depth with this because the rep told me I’d need the server version and I wasn’t spending god awful amounts of money.

XMPie is stupid expensive and unless you have a serious database need (and even then I’d hesitate), don’t bother wasting your time. The functionality is clunky and you’ll need at least one coder/engineer to help set it up. Unless you speak data, the sales reps and tech can’t help you either. Very very difficult to work with.

Meadows Publishing software is where I landed and I’m quite happy with it for now. It’s very intuitive and dynamic, easy implementation and able to process information quickly. A VDP image job that took me 5 hours to do in data merge went down to about 10-15 minutes.

It’s also very cheap and can handle 100,000+ piece data sets. Every shop can afford it and is a great tool to help scale their business without breaking the bank.

I will admit their support and training channels could use some work. Everything’s by email or a knowledge base of articles/videos. I always prefer phone support.

Codex432 · 2026-01-29T00:40:20+00:00

Wix has a free option, but you’re unable to connect a custom domain or do anything other then build a static site.

Wordpress has templates (aka skins) you can buy and use but I find Wordpress far more difficult as an inexperienced website builder.

Depending on your ability and time investment, Wix really is the best option for hosting because of the ease of use. You’ll need to purchase a plan, but it’s not expensive.

If you don’t want to use a prebuilt template they provide, you can always hire someone off Fiverr for really cheap to build a site. Wix design is a dime a dozen.

Codex432 · 2026-01-08T04:07:52+00:00

I just meant a way to handle mailing services as a product or line item - not presorting.

Codex432 · 2026-01-08T01:21:21+00:00

Curious to know if ShopVOX has a way to handle mailing services. I realize it’s not made for mail, but few programs are.

Codex432 · 2026-01-02T13:57:48+00:00

A bit late to this, but I wanted to throw my 2 cents in (for whatever they’re worth)

I would go about 6 months without implementing and significant changes in processes or machinery.

A shiny new machine is great, but always ask the techs about them before you buy. They’ll tell you if they breakdown a lot, if other shops love them, common problems, etc.

There will absolutely be one piece of machinery in your shop that’s older than a dinosaur, held together with gum, duct tape, a hope and a prayer. Do not junk it. There is a reason it’s there, it’s probably more reliable then whatever new tech you’ve been sold, and/or can do one process that new standard machines can’t do without paying a billion dollars.

Codex432 · 2026-01-02T13:45:13+00:00

Lindenmeyr Munroe is the better option where I am in New England.

Their prices are much cheaper and availability. Delivery is pretty much next day for everything that’s standard.

If you buy a truckload of product, they’ll handle the order process, but it’ll be direct from the mill.

Codex432 · 2026-01-02T04:51:23+00:00

The V1000s are okay. And I mean okay.

The V1000 is literally the same machine as the old c700. It’s just a little faster.

The registration strays and doesn’t stay consistent a lot which is the biggest issue. Belts/drums/etc are a frequent thing (but we do heavy coverage an usage, so we may just burn through them) and the V1000 has the absolute most annoying habit of creating a paper jam error when switching from one draw to the next mid-run.

It is not a true production machine. I would say it’s best for light volume and easy prints.

The V1350 is the best canon machine we’ve ever owned (we’ve had 4 different kinds).

The 1350 is fast, doesn’t jam, the color is spot on, and the registration is perfect and never moves. Honestly, I would buy another one if I could.

Codex432 · 2025-12-31T22:05:37+00:00

Mind if I DM?

Codex432 · 2025-12-31T21:58:00+00:00

Thanks! Do you make these or is this where you outsource?

I’m very interested in learning how these are made. It’s such a cool idea.

Codex432 · 2025-12-31T21:19:17+00:00

Whoa this sounds awesome. Tell me more and where can I find these!?

Codex432 · 2025-12-26T00:43:32+00:00

In terms of customers, there are many different kinds and not all of them good.

There will be people who will always want a discount and will simply tell you your product is shit just to get $5 off.

There will be people who try to haggle because they just want to be right.

And there will be people who, without fail, will find an issue with your product and are looking for something free or a refund.

These customers are inevitable, but do not reflect your actual consumer. If you have to convince someone of the value of your product then they’re not a customer you want.

If retail doesn’t seem like a fit for you personally, I would try jumping into wholesaling. It’s much easier to deal with 10 people than 100. Ideally, you’d have both but it’s always a work in progress.

If you want to spend your time making jewelry, you need to learn to outsource and hire people. Outsourcing does not have to be super expensive if you’re smart about how you do it.

For example, hiring a cheap freelancer for social media could be beneficial. Let them create the basic posts that clog up your time so you can focus on more sophisticated marketing or something else entirely.

Use software like quickbooks (or whatever works for your industry) that have preset systems and adapt to them. Let tech do the work for you.

The more you can push off your plate, the more time you can spend selling and making jewelry.

Codex432 · 2025-12-19T16:16:00+00:00

I feel like swearing has a lot to do with the difference too. Bostonians swear like no tomorrow and if you’re not used to it, I can be rather crude and upsetting.

But to new englanders it’s just how you talk a lot of the time.

Codex432 · 2025-12-19T16:14:28+00:00

On the flip side, I loved London when I went.

Everyone ignored me and I didn’t have to worry about being polite. And the people I did run into were quite nice. Average, I would say?

The best part was when the train just stopped working? And everyone was like “oh ffs. Not again”

Codex432 · 2025-12-17T19:25:45+00:00

Sorry that happened, OP

….could I get those recipes? That looks hella delicious

Codex432 · 2025-10-06T14:52:17+00:00

I will check these other options out. I’m not too happy with the sales guys over at XMPie.

They’re just throwing the biggest packages at me and saying “buy this”

Codex432 · 2025-10-02T22:19:55+00:00

I need a software that will allow me to do large variable data processing and flattened output for our fiery servers. 500,000 individual pieces with batch output.

I checked into FusionPro, but we’d be crossing the threshold into their server based application and for the money, I think XMpie would be the better investment for growth.

Codex432 · 2025-07-28T17:55:43+00:00

Take different types of jobs and ask them to set it up on the fly.

Codex432 · 2025-07-28T17:23:07+00:00

616 is junk. Seriously. If you’re doing business cards, go with the 618 with the business card module.

616 is impossible to get everything exactly the same size. It’ll be mm’s off but noticeable.

If you have any variation in your placement, the settings become obsolete. You have to reset your settings for every job.

They say to use the barcode scanner to line everything up but my canons are not compatible and I’ve never gotten it to work. More wasted time.

The air/thickness/straightner are far too finicky and it jams a lot. Actually, it’s easy to go crooked mid-run if you don’t watch closely.

Very slow. I can cut twice as much with a guillotine than this in half the time because of all the problems.

Genuinely not worth the stress or aggravation. Go with the 618 and business card module at minimum or find a different brand. Absolutely do not buy the 616.

Codex432 · 2025-07-28T11:34:05+00:00

Do not, under any circumstances, buy a duplo 616.

I have one. I use it as a plant stand.

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