Redirecting URLs

[gxpark]

Hi,

I'm trying to get Apache to rewrite URLs based on this simple need:

convert this: /somedir/help/chat
to this: /somedir/help/index.php?on=chat

I want to use an .htaccess file on /somedir/help, but I can't seem to find the proper config for mod_rewrite... I've tried with this (remember its under /somedir/help):

RewriteEngine on
RewriteBase /somedir/help
RewriteRule ^/(.*) index.iss?on=$1

But when I try to open /somedir/help/chat (which of course doesn't exist physically), I get a 404.

I've already searched the web for examples on mod_rewrite, and I found plenty, but I can't understand them! I also tried to read the documentation of the module (no further comments...)

Can somebody please help me solve this apparently simple issue?

Thanks in advance.

Ivan V.

 

[gxpark]

Ok, so I can do this:

RewriteEngine on
RewriteBase /somedir/help
RewriteRule ^chat(.*) index.iss?on=$1

And if I go to /somedir/help/chat/here I get /somedir/help/index.php?on=/here

It appears I'm getting close...