How do you install a cron job for a Sonic-hosted website?

[sheerio]

Back in 2018 I used PuTTY to create a cron job that updated my website every day. Everything worked fine until 1 July 2024, the day after Sonic turned off its shell servers.

So my question is, how do I re-install my cron job now that Sonic no longer allows shell access?

Looking forward to your answers....

[seth.lohr]

Hi sheerio. I found the file you were running every day. I'll direct message you the details of what that was doing, in case you don't have it handy anymore.

As far as updating the file daily:

using another "server" (whether this be another shell server hosted by another provided), or using a Raspberry Pi that you throw on your home network, or something else . . .

setting the crontab entry on that server to do the same thing (and making sure it has the ability to kick off the script you're using at your site) - that seems the most viable option, to me.

[sheerio]

Thank you for your reply.

I have all my website's files backed up at home and elsewhere, including the updating script, so I'm not concerned about those.

What I need to do now is reinstall (or modify) the cron job that launched that script every day. Your suggestion about using another shell server sounds good, but I have no idea how to go about it. Some step-by-step instructions would be incredibly helpful.

[seth.lohr]

Because I don't want to expose too many of the details about your setup to the rest of forums, I've private messaged you here on forums.sonic.net to go over details. See your private inbox through the forums system.

[sheerio]

Hi Seth.

I'm glad to see my cron job is still up there, even if it's no longer working. Now, how do I access it? Where is this CLI (command line interface, I presume) that you mentioned? What program do I need to run it, what address do I need to find it, and can I use my regular account password?

For the record, I am running a Windows computer. I do not have Linux at all.

As always, thank you for your help. And thank you for being patient with me.

[seth.lohr]

Hi sheerio, no, the cron doesn't exist anymore because the server it was on (sh.sonic.net) no longer exists.

If you're only using windows, you'd want to google how to "schedule recurring tasks" on your Windows machine. Or alternatively, get a new dedicated shell provider and set your cron up in the same way. See viewtopic.php?t=17948 for a talk about shell alternatives.

You want to put this line into the cron for Linux

<the redacted one I DM'd you>

Or, in windows speak, do that same cron line but at the time I suggested in DMs.