Using Cron to schedule an rsync with Leopard?

Question

Firstly, just wondering if any changes have taken place from Tiger to 10.5.5 in writing and running Cron command lines..I tried using Cron to run rsync at a scheduled time and accessing a command line on my desktop that works on its own, but didn't work. Would I have to put the command line into a specific location like Documents..??
ANy help would awesome!
Thanks
Mark

Answer 1

50 15 * * * sh ~/Documents/mySOKdown.command
Yes it looks right, but that doesn't mean anything when dealing with cron.
First, I've seen systems where cron was running on a different timezone than what you are in. This is why I always try the
* * * * * date >/tmp/tmp.cron
which will tell me 2 things. First it will tell me cron is actually working as I will only get a /tmp/tmp.cron file with the current time and date in it if cront is working. The 2nd thing it will tell me is if cron is working in the same timezone that I'm working in.
Second, the cron environment does not include all the environment variables you normally see when you are using a terminal session. Here are the environment variables I see on my system:
SHELL=/bin/sh
USER=harris
PATH=/usr/bin:/bin
PWD=/Users/harris
SHLVL=1
HOME=/Users/harris
LOGNAME=harris
Make sure you do not depend on missing environment variables.
Again, I suggest you check to see if cron has reported any errors to you via /usr/bin/mail (NOTE: this is not Apple Mail).