Hoping to find a random link script

[oast]

I use similar functions on some of my TGPs, where I have one big file full of links with the niche type as part of the array and use a function call to decide on the niche table to draw.

<?php table(tranny,3); ?>

IMO, as with rotating banners; if there is a list (or table) of links, it is beneficial to have the appearance that the links are being 'updated' rather than seeing the same ones on each visit.. even if it is the same 10 displayed in a different order each time.

[dunkin]

Hello Halfdeck and Oast, thank you both for the info.
I have one more question if you don't mind. Would you happened to know of a php code to show a picture of the day, not random. Show a new picture each day that would draw from a large list of pictures, say a years worth, 365?
Thanks again,
Dunkin

[oast]

PHP has a lot of date related functions, so a list of 365 pictures could be put into an array and a key could be pulled out corresponding to the day of the year.
date(z); gives you a number from 0-365
http://www.php.net/date


Here is a simple POTD consisting of 365 images using seperate thumbnails and links to fullsize images

PHP Code:

<?php
$pics=array(array('pic1','thumb1','Picture 1'),
array('pic2','thumb2','Picture 2'),
array('pic3','thumb3','Picture 3'),
array('pic4','thumb4','Picture 4'),
... etc
);
$today=date('z');
echo "<a href=\"{$pics[$today][0]}\"><img src=\"{$pics[$today][1]}\" alt=\"{$pics[$today][2]}\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />\n";
?>

Link to Picture is 1st part of array, then the URL of the thumbnail and finally the text for the alt tag.

HTH

Steve

[Halfdeck]

Originally Posted by oast

IMO, as with rotating banners; if there is a list (or table) of links, it is beneficial to have the appearance that the links are being 'updated' rather than seeing the same ones on each visit.. even if it is the same 10 displayed in a different order each time.

I agree. For a list of links, it's not a bad idea. For some of my pages that make multiple MYSQL calls, I prefer pre-generating / caching the page for quicker page delivery.

[oast]

Originally Posted by Halfdeck

For some of my pages that make multiple MYSQL calls, I prefer pre-generating / caching the page for quicker page delivery.

I have a couple of pre-made scripts that utilise cacheing, and have heard that it is a very good idea.

For my 'homemade' scripting purposes, I have the luxury of numerous MySQL servers, so I can seperate the tasks (i.e. ad server on one, links db on another, main content on yet another, etc).
With the speed of MySQL (2000 lines in 0.4 seconds), I don't think cacheing would make that much difference for my purposes.

Another alternative would be to include the MySQL content in an iframe, so the static sections can load independently around it.

[dunkin]

Hey gang,
Well, I tried using the POTD php that oast provided but just couldnt get it working. I am sure I am missing something simple. Plugged in the info as oast suggested as follows:


<?php
$pics=array(array('http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic1.jpg',''http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic1thumb.jpg','mypic1 alt text'),
array('http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic2.jpg','http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic2thumb.jpg','mypic2 alt tex'),
array('http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic3.jpg','http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic3thumb.jpg','mypic3 alt tex'),
array('http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic4.jpg','http://www.mydomain.com/images/mypic4thumb.jpg','mypic4 alt tex'),

);
$today=date('z');
echo "<a href=\"{$pics[$today][0]}\"><img src=\"{$pics[$today][1]}\" alt=\"{$pics[$today][2]}\" border=\"0\" /></a><br />\n";
?>


The above was saved as" potd1.php

Called it up on an index page with: <?php include("potd1.php"); ?>

I am only getting the "infamous" blank box with red X, and no alt text.

I actually only need this to show a full size pic and alt text. No need for the thumb array.
An example would be a text link "click here for picture of the day" and this would go to a page with the full size picture. I attempted to adjust the scrip to show just a full size picture and alt text but no luck with that either.

I am sure this is a fairly easy script, but I am not the best with php, still learning the basics here. I really appreciate all the help provided. I am sure I am just overlooking something simple here.

Again, thanks for the all the help.
Dunkin