Short URLs with similar directories

[iLochie]

Here's what I need, I'm trying to make short urls available for users on my domain. For example: domain.com/user. Yes, this is a necessary function of my site, not just for convenience. The problem is I also have directories in my root directory that could mimic these usernames without being related at all (for example, /css or /images), see how those could both be usernames? How can I avoid this problem?

[Cags]

Use RewriteConds to either explicitly avoid the actual URLs or perhaps more convenient, don't rewrite if the request file actually exists.

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !-d
RewriteRule ^([^/.]+)$ /index.php?user=$1 [L]

[iLochie]

Originally Posted by Cags

Use RewriteConds to either explicitly avoid the actual URLs or perhaps more convenient, don't rewrite if the request file actually exists.

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !-d
RewriteRule ^([^/.]+)$ /index.php?user=$1 [L]

Ahh great! Thank you, looks like I'll have to disallow certain usernames... Shouldn't be a big problem!

[Cags]

Indeed, I meant to mention that you would have to either pre-register certain nicknames, or have a black list that isn't usable. Alternatively you could use a different subdomain allowing full usage of all paths.