[ Matt's Script Archive ] [ Readme's ] [ Random Image Displayer ] Copyright and Header Overview rand_image.pl Necessary Variables $basedir @files Options $uselog $logfile Example How do I implement this in my pages? Things to be careful of History Copyright and Header ############################################################################## # Basic Random Image Displayer Version 1.2 # # Copyright 1996 Matt Wright mattw@scriptarchive.com # # Created 7/1/95 Last Modified 7/20/95 # # Matt's Script Archive, Inc. http://www.scriptarchive.com/scripts/ # ############################################################################## # If you run into any problems while trying to configure this script, help # # is available. The steps you should take to get the fastest results, are: # # 1) Read this file thoroughly # # 2) Consult the Matt's Script Archive Frequently Asked Questions: # # http://www.scriptarchive.com/scripts/help/faq/ # # 3) If you are still having difficulty installing this script, send # # e-mail to: scripts-help@tahoenet.com # # Include any error messages you are receiving and as much detail # # as you can so we can spot your problem. Also include the variable# # configuration block that is located at the top of the script. # # # # Hopefully we will be able to help you solve your problems. Thank you. # ############################################################################## # COPYRIGHT NOTICE # # Copyright 1996 Matthew M. Wright All Rights Reserved. # # # # Basic Random Image may be used and modified free of charge by anyone so # # long as this copyright notice and the comments above remain intact. By # # using this this code you agree to indemnify Matthew M. Wright from any # # liability that might arise from it's use. # # # # Selling the code for this program without prior written consent is # # expressly forbidden. In other words, please ask first before you try and # # make money off of my program. # # # # Obtain permission before redistributing this software over the Internet or # # in any other medium. In all cases copyright and header must remain intact.# ############################################################################## Overview The Random Image Displayer will allow you to call on different images each time your page is reloaded and accessed. The Random Image Displayer consists of two files, the rand_image.pl and README. rand_image.pl - The perl script that calls on the random image. README - This file (Installation instructions) rand_image.pl This is the main file and the one that is called upon every time your page is loaded. You will need to place this file in your server's cgi-bin and give users the permission to read/execute this file. (chmod 755 or chmod a+rx) There are also several variables you will have to define: Necessary Variables $basedir = ""; This is the http address and base directory that your pictures are placed in. This is in url form. The filenames you specify will be appended to this address. Examples Below. @files = ("",""); These are all of your files placed into array. The filenames should be reflective of the location of the files relative to your $basedir. Examples Below. Options $uselog = 1; You can enable the usage of a short log, which will simply log the name of each file as it is accessed. Not very fancy, but it can be useful. $logfile = ""; The system path to your log file and where you want it kept. Keep in mind that this log file must be placed in a world writable directory. If you don't create a log file, but point the path to a world writeable directory and give it a false filename, the script will create the file for you. This is not a required variable if you turn off $uselog. Example Let's say I have 5 files. The directory structure looks like: /home/mattw/public_html/ pics/funny.gif nature/waterfalls.gif pics/cool.gif nature/tree.gif pics/www.gif Where pics/ and nature/ are directories that these images are located in. Your variables should show as follows: $basedir = "http:/host.com/~mattw/"; @files = ("pics/funny.gif","nature/waterfalls.gif","pics/cool.gif", "nature/tree.gif","pics/www.gif"); How do I implement this in my pages? This file can be used in your pages in one of the following syntaxes. It can do backgrounds, or just plain image references. To activate it do the following: For a random in-lined image: <img src="http://www.ser.ver/cgi-bin/rand_image.pl"> For a random background image: <body background="http://www.ser.ver/cgi-bin/rand_image.pl"> Things to be careful of If you are using it as a random background program, you will want to make sure that all of your backgrounds will work with the specified colors. In other words, if you have a dark and a light image in your random image path it will be hard to find a text color to work in both instances. History Version 1.0 07/01/95 - First Created Version 1.1 07/17/95 - Completely Re-written. Less variables to fill in, added flexibility: including pics in different directories and pics with names unlike others. A big improvement over the last version. You can also have different extensions like .jpg and .gif. Version 1.2 07/20/95 - Eliminated the $numfiles variable and can now take the random number straight from the array. 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