No plugin needed.
Add this code to your loop query (tested WP 2.9 working):
query_posts(array(
'showposts' => 6,
'orderby' => 'rand',
'category_name' => 'News' //You can insert any category name
));
if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post();
In other words: Query 6 posts, displayed in random order, from the category ‘News’. The key to having your posts display randomly is “orderby”.
To randomize posts from either of two categories, try:
query_posts(array(
'showposts' => 6,
'orderby' => 'rand',
'category__in' => array(get_cat_ID('News'),get_cat_ID('Events'))
));
if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post();
Note: in the example above, I am using get_cat_ID() to grab the id number for a given category. Category__in requires the use of id numbers rather than names.
To randomize posts that show up in BOTH categories:
query_posts(array(
'showposts' => 6,
'orderby' => 'rand',
'category__and' => array(5,8))
));
if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post();
For more info on the variables you can use in query_posts, see the official codex: http://codex.ww.wp.xz.cn/Template_Tags/query_posts
Have fun!
