--- loncom/xml/lonplot.pm	2002/03/01 14:03:50	1.54
+++ loncom/xml/lonplot.pm	2002/03/14 19:02:30	1.56
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Dynamic plot
 #
-# $Id: lonplot.pm,v 1.54 2002/03/01 14:03:50 matthew Exp $
+# $Id: lonplot.pm,v 1.56 2002/03/14 19:02:30 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ A <b>gnuplot</b> tag can contain the fol
     <dd> Allows specification of the x and y coordinate 'tics' on the axes.
 This is mostly used to adjust the grid lines when a grid is displayed.
 </dl>
+If you are having trouble with your plot, please read the help
+available on Plot Curve.
 ENDPLOTHELP
 
 my %gnuplot_defaults = 
@@ -441,13 +443,21 @@ sub end_gnuplot {
     &Apache::lonxml::deregister('Apache::lonplot',
 	('title','xlabel','ylabel','key','axis','label','curve'));
     my $result = '';
+    my $randnumber;
+    # need to call rand everytime start_script would evaluate, as the
+    # safe space rand number generator and the global rand generator 
+    # are not seperate
+    if ($target eq 'web' || $target eq 'tex' || $target eq 'grade' ||
+	$target eq 'answer') {
+      $randnumber=int(rand(1000));
+    }
     if ($target eq 'web' || $target eq 'tex') {
 	&check_inputs(); # Make sure we have all the data we need
 	##
 	## Determine filename
 	my $tmpdir = '/home/httpd/perl/tmp/';
 	my $filename = $ENV{'user.name'}.'_'.$ENV{'user.domain'}.
-	    '_'.time.'_'.$$.int(rand(1000)).'_plot.data';
+	    '_'.time.'_'.$$.$randnumber.'_plot.data';
 	## Write the plot description to the file
 	&write_gnuplot_file($tmpdir,$filename,$target);
 	$filename = &Apache::lonnet::escape($filename);