############################################################################## # Basic Random Image Displayer Version 1.2 # # Copyright 1996 Matt Wright mattw@scriptarchive.com # # Created 7/1/95 Last Modified 7/20/95 # # Scripts Archive at: http://www.scriptarchive.com/ # ############################################################################## # If you run into any problems while trying to configure this scripts, 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/faq/ # # 3) If you are still having difficulty installing this script, # # you may wish to look at the resources listed here: # # http://www.scriptarchive.com/help/ # # # # Hopefully that will be able to help you solve your problems. Due to time # # constraints I can no longer offer technical support for this code. # ############################################################################## # 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.# ############################################################################## 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) This is one of my more simple scripts, yet still very useful for its purpose. Below is a description of how to configure the files: 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: # 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. # Choose Options $uselog = 1; # 1 = YES; 0 = NO 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. ________________________________________________________________ README - All you have to do with this file is read it! :) ________________________________________________________________ Example: Let's say I have 5 files. They are all in a root directory called: /home/mattw/public_html/, but from there they branch out to: pics/funny.gif, nature/waterfalls.gif, pics/cool.gif, nature/tree.gif, and pics/www.gif. Where pics/ and nature/ are directories that these images are located in. Your variables should show as follows: $basedir = "http://alpha.pr1.k12.co.us/~mattw/"; @files = ("pics/funny.gif","nature/waterfalls.gif","pics/cool.gif", "nature/tree.gif","pics/www.gif"); It's that easy! ________________________________________________________________ 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: This is when you want it to call a random image. This is when you want it to call a random background. 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 7/1 - First Created Version 1.1 7/17 - 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 7/20 - Eliminated the $numfiles variable and can now take the random number straight fom the array. ________________________________________________________________ Use this script freely and enjoy! All that I ask is that you keep my name somewhere in the scripts. Not necessarily in a spot viewable to your users (although it would be nice) but somewhere behind the scenes as a point of reference. _____________________________________________________________________________ Matt Wright - mattw@scriptarchive.com - http://www.scriptarchive.com/