Random Nodes with Views?

That was on my list of things to figure out this week. Scratch it off now! Thanks a bunch.

I simplified this how-to a little, adding the PHP that views exports to save a little time, in a handbook page for linking to a random blog post in a block.

This works extremely well - with one tiny little problem (there's always one who complains isn't there).

The block section of a view allows for checking a checkbox which will then go to the page view of the same view. This is useful - it keeps the same filters etc etc - but - of course it also keeps the random sort.

Is there any approach which will allow for the block sort order to be random but to get a link to a page view where the sort is something else?

I'm wondering about contemplate module and manually adding the link in the template (having two views, one for the block, one for the page) - but is this the right way?

I did this as well because of a few issues with contemplate recently. But, I didn't see the "random" option which is great! I want it to look more like a teaser and give the view a length so it will cut off after so many lines. I tries changeing the block height but it didn't work. Any ideas?

Thanks Richard. Generally people aren't willing to make a step by step tutorial for something that seems so simple. It helps so much. Thank you.

Excellent step by step guidelines

In views2, simply add the Sort criteria of Global:Random

just used this method on a page view, cheers dude

Excellent tutorial works really well.

Just wanted to know:

Is it possible to make the block refresh via javascript or some other means? E.g. every 5 seconds another random quote appears, etc... ? Is this possible wiht viewS?

I dont like this variant. Look at the query

SELECT DISTINCT(node.nid) AS nid,
   RAND() AS _random
 FROM node node 
 WHERE node.type in ('node')
   ORDER BY _random ASC

IT SELECTS ALL NODES!!! But i have 7000 of nodes and for one random do this query? nooo... You need something like this

Is there a way in views to select a random set of content that meets the filter criteria, and then apply a different sort? For example, I would like to select a random set of something and then sort the selected set by name.

Thanks for the tutorial. It saves me a lot of time...

:)

Thank You

This solved my problem and works a treat! :)

I've just tried this method. It works fine when im logged in as admin, but when im logged out and viewing the page as any normal person would the random function doesnt work.

Any ideas?

This is very helpful,

Thanks,

Izzy

That's a styling question, not a Views question. Install firebug, then inspect your block. It will quickly become obvious how to style the block to achieve what you want.

That said, there are several ad managing modules here, which depending on context may already do what you want. You might check to make sure you're not re-inventing the wheel.

create a content type to store quotes in the DB
create a view, create a display in the view, filter the quote content type in the view, set the sort to random, save the view.

visit your new display

if you want it in a block be sure to create a block display

I believe this IS possible in Views. Unfortunately I am only going to supply some hints because I haven't done it. (But at least it is better than just saying "subscribe" because I am interested in the reply.)

My understanding is you can add a "relationship" (in the third column of the Views UI). You can set this to Node ID and I think there is some is/is not type logic here.

In Views 2 a Block View could not get information from the url, but I think in Views 3, this is what the relationship allows. Please let me know if that helps at all.