Manually running the same tasks over and over again with your computer can be tiring and sometimes boring. That’s why some programs and tools were created by system administrators to automate repetitive tasks. For example, remembering to shutdown your computer every night at 10 PM should be automated. Windows and Mac OS X users may have similar tools that work to execute defined tasks at a pre-defined time or after an event occurs.
Linux systems do have Cron by default, but it’s not very user-friendly and wasn’t intended for beginners. In fact, some advanced users still don’t completely understand how to use and manage Cron in Linux systems. One of our readers posted this question few days ago, ‘Is there a better task scheduler in Ubuntu?
The short answer is yes, but here is the correct way to ask the same question ‘Is there a better and easier task scheduler for Ubuntu’? This is a great question as finding easy to manage task schedulers for Linux systems is difficult. There are single-purpose tools that allow you schedule tasks for only a particular event or command, like shutting down your computer. These single-purpose tools are not very useful and don’t last long.
Cron on the other hand lets you schedule basically any task or events, but it isn’t user friendly. It can be managed from the command line using crontab editor.
So, back to the question. Is there a better task scheduler in Ubuntu? Here’s that I want to say. If you need a simple yet power tasks scheduler in Ubuntu, you may want to install Gnome-Schedule. Gnome Schedule is a graphical user interface (GUI) tool that leverages the power of Cron. It brings together the power of Cron with the ease of use of the GUI. Instead of scheduling tasks using the command line, you can use Gnome Schedule to accomplish the same goal.
Below, I will show you how to install and use Gnome-Schedule in Ubuntu 13.04 to automate tasks easily.
To get started with install Gnome Schedule, run the commands below.
sudo apt-get install gnome-schedule
After installing it, open it as root or administrator. Do to that, run the commands below to start Gnome Schedule as admin.
sudo gnome-schedule
Opening Gnome Schedule as root or administrator lets you schedule system-wide tasks that require admin rights. If you scheduled a system task from Gnome schedule launched as your account and the task requires administrative rights, it will fail.
To schedule a recurrent task, click ‘Next – > Recurrent task.
Next, type the description of the task and the command as shown below. Most Linux commands are in these locations:
/sbin/ /usr/bin /usr/local/bin
Another thing to watch for is the time and date settings. Make sure to use the military time format from 0 to 24 hour style. So 10 PM is going to be 22:00 hours. Also, the * in the Day, Month and Weekday field represents all. Or every Day, Month, and Weekday. The * tells Cron to run continually these selected fields.
When you’re done, click ‘Add’
Now the task is scheduled and ready to be executed.
That’ it! So, the next time you’re looking for a simple task scheduler in Ubuntu, check out Gnome-Schedule. It can be use the schedule any tasks, not just shutting down your computer. Also, remember to look in /sbin/ /usr/bin/ /usr/local/bin for commands. For example, to launch Firefox at 1PM daily, type this command in the command field.
/usr/bin/firefox
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to automate tasks in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail?
To automate tasks in Ubuntu 13.04, you can use tools like Gnome Schedule which provides a user-friendly graphical interface to schedule tasks leveraging the power of Cron.
Is Cron user-friendly for beginners in Ubuntu?
Cron, the default task scheduler in Linux systems, is not very user-friendly for beginners as it requires command line usage and can be complex to manage.
What are the limitations of single-purpose task scheduling tools in Ubuntu?
Single-purpose task scheduling tools in Ubuntu have limitations as they can only schedule tasks for specific events or commands, such as shutting down the computer, and are not versatile for a wide range of tasks.
Why is Gnome Schedule recommended for task scheduling in Ubuntu?
Gnome Schedule is recommended for task scheduling in Ubuntu because it combines the power of Cron with a user-friendly GUI, making it easier for users to schedule and manage tasks effectively.
How can I schedule tasks in Ubuntu without using Cron directly?
To schedule tasks in Ubuntu without using Cron directly, you can install Gnome Schedule which provides a more intuitive graphical interface for task scheduling.
Are there alternatives to Cron for task scheduling in Ubuntu?
Yes, Gnome Schedule is an alternative to Cron for task scheduling in Ubuntu, offering a more user-friendly approach to scheduling tasks through its graphical interface.
What are the benefits of using Gnome Schedule over Cron in Ubuntu?
The benefits of using Gnome Schedule over Cron in Ubuntu include a more user-friendly interface, easier task scheduling, and better management of scheduled tasks.
Is Gnome Schedule suitable for both beginners and advanced users in Ubuntu?
Yes, Gnome Schedule is suitable for both beginners and advanced users in Ubuntu as it provides an intuitive GUI for task scheduling while leveraging the power of Cron for advanced scheduling needs.
