#! /usr/local/bin/python -O


username="superuser"
password="PASSWORD" # this is only example, of course
zope="http://my.site/Zope"


import sys, urllib


class NoGUI_URLopener(urllib.FancyURLopener):
   def __init__(self, username, password, *args):
      apply(urllib.FancyURLopener.__init__, (self,) + args)

      self.username = username
      self.password = password
      self.asked = 0


   def prompt_user_passwd(self, host, realm):
      if self.asked:
         raise "Unauthorised"
      else:
         self.asked = 1
         return self.username, self.password


try:
   days = sys.argv[1]
except:
   days = 7


urllib._urlopener = NoGUI_URLopener(username, password)
urllib.urlretrieve("%s/Control_Panel/Database/manage_pack?days:float=%s" % (zope, days))

Of course, you might not be that keen to store your admin account's details in a plain text file on your server. But it certainly sets out the right idea.

There is also Xron - the in-Zope equivalent of Cron.

Another improvement over the above script is to use PloneMaintenance in conjunction with  Cron or Xron - PloneMaintenance will handle the sequential execution of a number of maintenance tasks. Have a look at the README for some great advice...

Sending an email before event

from DateTime import DateTime

for r in context.portal_catalog():
        date1 = r.expires                                      #the expiration date
        date2 = context.ZopeTime()                             #the current date
        t = int(date1.earliestTime()-date2.earliestTime())     #the integer difference between dates                                  
        print t
        if t==14:                                              #if there is 14 days between dates...
          contentObject = r.getObject()                        #get object via catalog         
          objectHistory=contentObject.portal_workflow.getInfoFor(contentObject, 'review_history')
          thisRevision=objectHistory[-1]
          nowDate=thisRevision['time'].aCommon()
          authorComment=thisRevision['comments']
          
          mailList=[]          
          try:
             mailhost=getattr(context, context.portal_url.superValues('Mail Host')[0].id)
          except:
             raise AttributeError, "Cannot find a Mail Host object"
          mMsg = 'An item you created on the website is nearing expiry.\n\nPlease update the item.\n\nThis email was generated and sent by the COMESA website.\n\n'
          mMsg += 'Title: ' + contentObject.TitleOrId() + '\n\n'
          mMsg += 'Description: ' + contentObject.Description() + '\n\n'
          mMsg += contentObject.absolute_url() + '\n'
          #mMsg += 'Author: ' + contentObject.Creator()
          mMsg += 'Author comment:' + authorComment + '\n\n'
          mTo = context.portal_membership.getMemberById(contentObject.Creator()).email
          mFrom = 'Webmaster@comesa.int'
          mSubj = 'Website item nearing expiration date'

          mailhost.send(mMsg, mTo, mFrom, mSubj)       #send email to author

        elif t==0:                                         #else if expiration date=today's date
          contentObject = r.getObject()                   #get object via catalog                                       
          try:                                            #change review_state to expired
            context.portal_workflow.doActionFor(contentObject, 'expire')
          except:
            print 'didnt change state'                    #this is here just in case

return printed