query strings into proper html

how do I do it?

[mifi601]

I have read as much as i could but am still a little confused as to how to do the .htaccess etc 'stuff'. maybe someone can point me to a thread or explain in detail how to turn those nasty query strings (in my forum) into html.

thank you!

[mifi601]

I did EXACTLY what Derek describes in

[webmasterworld.com...]

but am still unable to do it ....

[jdMorgan]

mifi601,

Understand that URL rewriting takes place only on the URL that is requested by the user's browser. The rewrite happens in response to a request, and before any content is served from your site.

In order to make search-engine-friendly URLs, you must set up your scripts and pages to output search-engine-friendly URLs, and then use mod_rewrite to translate these SE-friendly URLs, when they are requested by a browser or search engine, back into long URLs that your script(s) will accept.

In that respect, many who contemplate doing SE-friendly URL rewrites think that it works the other way, and it does not.

Reference: Introduction to mod_rewrite [webmasterworld.com]

HTH,
Jim

[DaveAtIFG]

Below are a few pages that may provide some insight. They are oriented to using PHP on Apache. You didn't mention the scripting language used by your forum.

[sitepoint.com...]
[evolt.org...]

A Google search for "search engine friendly URL" returns plenty of informative pages.