Arles isn't too slow, I've used it to optimize about 400,000 images/thumbs to date and created probably 100,000 pages pages with it. Hands down it is the nicest for image and page creation, it for sure does the *best* job when you want to overlay text on the bottom of an issue. At the end of the day all of the other options including Arles still take a second or two for every image.
Brad
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President at MojoHost | brad at mojohost dot com | Skype MojoHostBrad
71 industry awards for hosting and professional excellence since 1999
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