randomise cron jobs

[Pari123]

Hi all,

I currently run a cron to post to my wordpress blog and would like to know how to actually set the time to post at random intervals and not at the same time each day.

I set the cron up through cpanel, but there is no option but to choose a set time.

Can anyone help I can overcome this please?

thanks Pari

[sdjl]

Unfortunately, you have to tell cron exactly when you want to run something.
You could setup multiple cron's to post at different times on different days but as far as i'm aware, there's no way of randomising it.

David

[james]

You could modify the php script that runs at a specific time to subtract a random amount of time from the date before publishing your post.

This way it would appear as if the times are more random.

James

[Pari123]

randomising cron jobs

thanks James,

Are you able to advise on the php script as I am not a programmer please?

thanks Pari

[james]

It would involve using the PHP rand() function.

Are you able to send me the PHP script that you are currently using for the cron jobs - I may have time to edit it for you.

How much would you want the date/time to vary by? Up to 12 hours either way I would assume?

Cheers,

James

[Pari123]

cron jobs

Thanks James,

I currently use the simple option for setting up crons. And yes, I would like my cron jobs to be randomised from anywhere between 6-12 hours apart.

The commant I use is

GET http://www.trainer-offers.info/wp-co...ibboleth=hello

thanks Pari

[james]

Do you have access to the source code of that script?

I would need to see the code in order to modify it.

Feel free to PM it to me and I'll check it out.

James

[Pari123]

cron jobs

James,

Not sure how I can get that. All I do is go into CPANEL and choose cron jobs and then there is an option for stanard or unix cron jobs. I then choose the standard option and type GET and whatever file I need to run.

hope that helps

thanks Pari

[james]

Hmm I'm all out of ideas then.

The only way I could think to "randomise" it was to edit the script's code.

Sorry.

[blakekr]

James, would you mind giving a rough overview of how you would go about it? I'd love to integrate what you describe into wp-mail (wordpress email to blog script), but don't know where to start.