Random thread picker

HungLikeJesus · 06-26-2007, 08:12 PM

I thought that it would be interesting to read some of the old threads, but don't really have time to read very many. I wanted something that would encourage me to read threads in forums that I don't normally even enter. To assist in this, I've created an Excel spreadsheet that randomly picks one forum from the list of 18, then randomly picks one thread from all of the available threads for that forum. The object is that I'll run it once a day and read the thread that falls at that number. I have the default thread display order, which is reverse chronological.

For example, the spreadsheet is currently choosing "Forum: Home Base, thread: 319." If I've counted correctly, this is a thread called Sad and Happy. Of course, this will change if a new thread is added, and it neglects the fact that there are some deleted threads, which throws off the count. Unfortunately, the threads aren't numbered, so I have to calculate the page and count down from there.

If a thread interests me I'll post a response, so don't be surprised if you start seeing old threads popping up.

glatt · 06-26-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLJ

If a thread interests me I'll post a response, so don't be surprised if you start seeing old threads popping up.

Cool.

HungLikeJesus · 06-26-2007, 08:35 PM

I just responded to my first random-generated thread, in Quality Images.

This is kind of like turning over the muck at the bottom of the lake to see what floats to the surface.

SteveDallas · 06-26-2007, 08:37 PM

Actually, if I've interpreted the vbulletin URLs correctly, each thread is assigned an ID number that's independent of what forum it's in. It would be pretty easy to put out a web page--or add a button to an existing one--to pull up a random thread, if only one had a variable to tell what the current maximum value for the thread number is.

HungLikeJesus · 06-26-2007, 08:54 PM

Sounds like a job for... (insert dramatic music) UNDERTOAD.

But probably not.

monster · 06-26-2007, 09:11 PM

This from the (not-addicted) dwellar who's planning on quietly fading away, right?

HungLikeJesus · 06-26-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

This from the (not-addicted) dwellar who's planning on quietly fading away, right?

So you're the one who has been reading my posts!

I'm only doing it for LJ, who seems to miss the old days.

monster · 06-26-2007, 09:52 PM

ya.

SteveDallas · 06-26-2007, 10:25 PM

Share and enjoy.

http://www.deathtongue.net/cellar/random.pl

(note: all this does is pick a random number between 1 and 14678 and plug it in where the thread number goes. The number that comes back may refer to a thread that's been deleted, is in a restricted area, etc. etc.)

Flint · 06-26-2007, 11:25 PM

Sweet.

Clodfobble · 06-26-2007, 11:37 PM

Steve, that's awesome! Maybe it could even be a permanent link somewhere?

lumberjim · 06-26-2007, 11:39 PM

that should be a link down by the cookies thinger.

HungLikeJesus · 06-26-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

Share and enjoy.

http://www.deathtongue.net/cellar/random.pl

(note: all this does is pick a random number between 1 and 14678 and plug it in where the thread number goes. The number that comes back may refer to a thread that's been deleted, is in a restricted area, etc. etc.)

Thanks, SD. That's a lot easier than what I'd been doing with the spreadsheet. Is 14678 the number of threads as of today?

One interesting thing that I noticed: If I open an old thread, like 2002, it comes up with 15 posts to a page and red borders, but the newer ones are 40 to a page and blue borders, which is what I've set up in my options.

PS -- Is dayafter.jpg posted somewhere in the Cellar?

xoxoxoBruce · 06-27-2007, 05:19 AM

The dayafter jpg.

Griff · 06-27-2007, 06:33 AM

SD you are the be all and end all!

06-26-2007, 08:12 PM	#1
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Random thread picker I thought that it would be interesting to read some of the old threads, but don't really have time to read very many. I wanted something that would encourage me to read threads in forums that I don't normally even enter. To assist in this, I've created an Excel spreadsheet that randomly picks one forum from the list of 18, then randomly picks one thread from all of the available threads for that forum. The object is that I'll run it once a day and read the thread that falls at that number. I have the default thread display order, which is reverse chronological. For example, the spreadsheet is currently choosing "Forum: Home Base, thread: 319." If I've counted correctly, this is a thread called Sad and Happy. Of course, this will change if a new thread is added, and it neglects the fact that there are some deleted threads, which throws off the count. Unfortunately, the threads aren't numbered, so I have to calculate the page and count down from there. If a thread interests me I'll post a response, so don't be surprised if you start seeing old threads popping up. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-26-2007, 08:35 PM	#3
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	I just responded to my first random-generated thread, in Quality Images. This is kind of like turning over the muck at the bottom of the lake to see what floats to the surface. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-26-2007, 08:54 PM	#5
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Sounds like a job for... (insert dramatic music) UNDERTOAD. But probably not. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-26-2007, 09:11 PM	#6
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	This from the (not-addicted) dwellar who's planning on quietly fading away, right? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

06-26-2007, 09:52 PM	#8
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	ya. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

06-26-2007, 08:37 PM	#4
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Actually, if I've interpreted the vbulletin URLs correctly, each thread is assigned an ID number that's independent of what forum it's in. It would be pretty easy to put out a web page--or add a button to an existing one--to pull up a random thread, if only one had a variable to tell what the current maximum value for the thread number is.

06-26-2007, 10:25 PM	#9
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Share and enjoy. http://www.deathtongue.net/cellar/random.pl (note: all this does is pick a random number between 1 and 14678 and plug it in where the thread number goes. The number that comes back may refer to a thread that's been deleted, is in a restricted area, etc. etc.)

06-26-2007, 11:25 PM	#10
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Sweet. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

06-26-2007, 11:37 PM	#11
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Steve, that's awesome! Maybe it could even be a permanent link somewhere?

06-26-2007, 11:39 PM	#12
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	that should be a link down by the cookies thinger. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

06-27-2007, 05:19 AM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	The dayafter jpg. Attached Images __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-27-2007, 06:33 AM	#15
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	SD you are the be all and end all! __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

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