Hello.
This is my first question so i will try and keep it consise and accurate, but go easy on me if you need to know anything extra.
Task: I have intended to write some code to send a newsletter to my members at a set time. (the early hours on a friday or saturday) The actual time does not need to be precise, but it needs to be roughly the same each week.
I have broken down the task into these main areas.
Have something which checks the time/last run date etc.
A function then runs. This will do a database interigation and get all the users who want to receive the newsletter
Generate the email, and insert the usernames and email addresses into the mailmessage.
send the mailmessage.
I have written all the code to do everything bar the timer/scheduler bit.
Basically i am having to login to the website when i need to send the mailout, and click a button.
All i am really asking is how do I automate the effect of clicking on the button.
I have read up lots on this but have had lots of contradicting views. Some say use a timer Others say timers are resource hungry and using a scheduler is better.
So far, the best 2 ways of doing the automated bit are as follows:
1) Have a timer on a windows service that then generates the emails. (i've built these in javascript before to do rolling images in a div, or to do a slideshow type thing.)
2) have scheduler call a web service at the specified time.
Basically, which is easier/more efficient/best?
The mailer will be sending ~15k+ emails, so it will be using MSMQ. I'd ideally like the users to receive the emails on a saturday or sunday morning.
I already have the c# code to generate the emails and send them.
Many thanks in advance for your help and input.
Del Greco.