editing the crontab

[jloch]

newbie - I've never successfully edited my crontab file, so maybe you can help.

logged in as root.
shell > cd /etc
shell > crontab -e
shell > a # append to my crontab file

The following is printed to my screen:

SHELL=/bin/bash
PATH=/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
MAILTO=root
HOME=/

run-parts

01 root run-parts /etc/cron.hourly
02 4 root run-parts /etc/cron.daily
22 4 0 root run-parts /etc/cron.weekly
42 4 1 * root run-parts /etc/cron.monthly

shell > # I typed <return> after the last entry
shell > * lynx -dump http://www.mysite.com/path/to/script.php

shell > <ESC> # get out of append mode
shell > :x <return>

The following is printed to my screen:

crontab: installing new crontaben

shell > crontab crontab

Now, when I type:

shell > crontab -e

my changes are not there. ughh, I'm confused. Help!

jloch

[jerdo]

You need to save your changes before exiting. If your editor is Vi, then hit :wq to write and quit (there are also a few other commands to do this as well). If your editor is something else you will need to google for a manual for it. Also if you just want to view your crontab you don't need the -e just use crontab -l