How to Get Clean URL's
First of all, let's define what a "clean url" is: a clean url does not contain a query string within the url (as found in the address bar).
A clean url looks like this:
http://www.your-site.com/project/united-nations-identity/
While a 'messy url' would look like this:
http://www.your-site.com/index.php?/project/united-nations-identity/
What is the Advantage to having Clean URL's?
They are simply much nicer and easier to remember. Google will index both clean and messy url's to their search engine.
Default Installation
The default installation of Indexhibit comes with messy urls setup. The reason for this is because all servers that meet our system requirements will work with messy urls. In the past we tried the default with clean url's but it proved too problematic for many installers.
What is required for Clean URL's?
Your server needs to have a server (Apache) technology called "mod_rewrite" properly setup and enabled for your account. If you have any question whether you have this or not you should ask your webshot. Or, you might simply try to the following instructions to see if clean url's will work on your site.
How to Enable Clean URL's
- rename htaccess to .htaccess (with the dot)
- in the /ndxz-studio/defaults.php file change:
define('MODREWRITE', false);
To:
define('MODREWRITE', true);
Then click around on your site and see if it works. If it does not work simply undo the previous instructions.
WARNING
When you change the name of the htaccess file to .htaccess it will become invisible. FTP applications, in there preferences, have the ability to view invisible files - enable this if need be.
If your host has already placed an .htaccess file on your server you should proceed with caution. We recommend backing up any existing files and/or be prepared to ask the webhost for more information and help editing the file.