MyConcordiaGrades

This guide assumes the use of Python 2.7; it has not been tested with other versions yet. We also assume you are using gmail, and we do not support other email providers yet but this might change in future updates.

Right now MyConcordiaGrades is a simple selenium based web crawler that checks for new grades in the summer 2016 semester. In the future it will be updated to handle every semester and will be automated, but for now it will mostly be targeting tech savvy individuals. This small guide assumes you have python and PhantomJS installed and you are able to use the pip command in your terminal, if not then go to this link: Installing Pip

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We are not responsible if someone takes your computer and looks at this file. Right now nothing is compiled or hashed so your password is stored in plain text. This will be changed in the future, so if you are worried then wait for the update.

Also, using the email-to-SMS service that many cell phone carriers provide can result in extra costs on your phone bill; use at your own discretion.

Setting up the files

The first thing you want to do is download "init.py" and "pushNewGrades.py".

Run "init.py" and input your user information (which will just be stored on your local machine).

For the "Gmail username/password to send texts/emails from" we recommend that you create a dummy email. For that account, you must have "Allow less secured apps" enabled.

You can do so here: link

For your SMS carrier, the carrier name and their email-to-SMS gateway must be in "smsGateways.txt". Otherwise, add it to the file in the same format as the other entries.

Dependencies

Python 2.7

PhantomJS (tested with v. 1.9.8 & v. 2.1.1)

MyConcordiaGrades needs the following modules for Python:

selenium
sqlite3
smtplib

Luckily for us sqlite3 and smtplib are usually pre-packaged with Python.

To install selenium simply run the following command in the terminal:

  pip install selenium

Setting up a cron job on a Mac

Step 1

This step is pretty straight forward. Run the following command in your terminal:

  env EDITOR=vi crontab -e

You have the choice of replacing "vi" with your preferred editor.

Step 1.5

You may have to run, "sudo env EDITOR=vi crontab -e" instead depending on your permissions. I personally ran into an error where it couldn't detect phantomJS in the PATH even though it was clearly there. You can use the method below to figure out if you are receiving this error.

Step 1.75

Add the following at the top of crontab, I personally needed it because the crontab didn't have the right PATH directory. It might work without it on your computer if you want to give it a try.

  PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin

You can add other directories if you need them.

Step 2

Finally add the following line inside the editor:

  */10 * * * * cd /Path/To/Directory/With/Script && python2.7 pushNewGrades.py

This cronjob is tasked to run every 10 minutes. Make sure to change the directory path on the cd command to the proper directory that is currently holding the pushNewGrades.py script. On my mac I have it in "/Users/name/CronTasks". For more information on cron jobs go here: Cron Jobs

Step 2.5

If you want to redirect potential errors from the pushNewGrades.py scripts then add the following to your crontab instead:

  */10 * * * * cd /Path/To/Directory/With/Script && python2.7 pushNewGrades.py >> /Path/To/Directory/With/Log.log &2>1

Step 3

After saving the file run this in your terminal:

  crontab -l

and it should display the cron job that you added previously (NOTE: If you ran crontab with sudo previously you must also run this command with sudo).

Setting up a Scheduled Task on a PC

Open the Windows Task Scheduler

Click "Create Task" in the right sidebar

In the General tab:

Give the task a descriptive/unique name in "Name:"
Check "Run with highest privileges" and "Run whether user is logged on or not"
Under "Configure for", select your OS (or the closest option)

In the Triggers tab:

Click "New..."
Check "Daily"
Start: Current date at "12:00:00 AM"
"Recur every": 1 days
Check "Repeat task every:" and input "5 minutes" (or however often you want it to run)

In the Actions tab:

Click "New..."
"Start in (optional):" the folder location where pushNewGrades.py is
"Program/script:" pushNewGrades.py