Random link

**alanbyvale** · 16 May 2016, 10:18 AM

I have a jpeg on a web page and want the user to be randomly directed to one of two pages when they click on the jpeg. Is this possible in Web Designer 11? Thanks.

**gwpriester** · 16 May 2016, 12:40 PM

Welcome to TalkGraphics

Not without a script. But Acorn or one of the other clever members may have a suggestion.

**Acorn** · 16 May 2016, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by alanbyvale

I have a jpeg on a web page and want the user to be randomly directed to one of two pages when they click on the jpeg. Is this possible in Web Designer 11? Thanks.

Depends how you define random.

Give your image one of the URLs.
Create a grid of 0 pt (not None so you can see them) lines spaced 8 px apart.
Place on top of your image and select all and Combine Shapes > Intersect All Shapes.
Now, randomly pick half of the 8 x 8 px tiles and give them the other URL.

There are variations on the above.

A JavaScript approach would be to check the time and return 0 or 1; for 0 pick one URL and for 1, the other.

Acorn

**Egg Bramhill** · 16 May 2016, 07:19 PM

I've been looking at JS examples today Acorn, but as you know I'm crap at JS.

Give your image one of the URLs.
Create a grid of 0 pt (not None so you can see them) lines spaced 8 px apart.
Place on top of your image and select all and Combine Shapes > Intersect All Shapes.
Now, randomly pick half of the 8 x 8 px tiles and give them the other URL.

This is really thinking outside the box. A really simple, and now obvious, solution but one I'd never of thought of. Sweet

**siran** · 17 May 2016, 08:24 AM

As Acorn suggested you can use a random number, just specify something like

Code:

javascript:window.location="http://example.com/"+((Math.random()<0.5)?"link1":"link2")+".htm";

in the "Link to Web or Email address" property.

**alanbyvale** · 17 May 2016, 08:59 AM

Thanks to you all for your quick response and variety of ideas. I will endeavour to get it sorted and will report back.

**alanbyvale** · 17 May 2016, 09:56 AM

I have tried the javascript solution which seems the simplest. It works in Explorer, popping up a new window with the video showing. However in Chrome and Safari it pops up a new window showing the link as text on a white page. I have tried setting it to 'not specified' and 'open in a new window'. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

**siran** · 17 May 2016, 11:55 AM

Could you try to link to HTML that shows the video instead of linking to the video directly?

**Acorn** · 17 May 2016, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by alanbyvale

I have tried the javascript solution which seems the simplest. It works in Explorer, popping up a new window with the video showing. However in Chrome and Safari it pops up a new window showing the link as text on a white page. I have tried setting it to 'not specified' and 'open in a new window'. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,

Ta-da - video? We started with a JPEG. Not a worry for me but if I was an end-user, would I not get frustrated in trying to see a particular video but keep in getting the other? Seems a bit random (bad pun). A bit of a back story might help.

Well done for getting it started.
I would aim for a site page that has the video embedded rather than a random (sorry) new tab or window with no return.

Acorn

**alanbyvale** · 18 May 2016, 11:59 AM

There is a particular reason for the random page. Anyway, I created a blank page with a single text box and tried to link to that. It works in Explorer 10, and the latest Firefox and Chrome browsers but not in Safari. I have checked than javascript is enabled but still no joy. If I succeed in sorting it out I will let you know. Again, many thanks.