Organized, Short Folder Structure Using mod_rewrite
I tend to be over-organized when I create the folder structure of my customers' websites. I like using descriptive file and folder names for a number of reasons:
- Search engine friendly URLS and image names (for image searches)
- Descriptive file names give users a "preview" of the linked page in the status bar (if the anchor text isn't descriptive enough or the link is an image)
- I want to be able to tell what a file is when I see the file name
One problem with my method is that long folder names can be annoying to type and can bloat your pages resulting in ugly load times. I use the power of mod_rewrite to shorten paths to files I reference most, image files.
The XHTML

becomes...

The mod_rewrite .htaccess
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^gis/(.*)$ /graphics/icons/small/$1 [L]
![fetch API]()
One of the worst kept secrets about AJAX on the web is that the underlying API for it, XMLHttpRequest, wasn't really made for what we've been using it for. We've done well to create elegant APIs around XHR but we know we can do better. Our effort to...
![Designing for Simplicity]()
Before we get started, it's worth me spending a brief moment introducing myself to you. My name is Mark (or @integralist if Twitter happens to be your communication tool of choice) and I currently work for BBC News in London England as a principal engineer/tech...
![Redacted Font]()
Back when I created client websites, one of the many things that frustrated me was the initial design handoff. It would always go like this:
Work hard to incorporate client's ideas, dream up awesome design.
Create said design, using Lorem Ipsum text
Send initial design concept to the client...
![Image Manipulation with PHP and the GD Library]()
Yeah, I'm a Photoshop wizard. I rock the selection tool. I crop like a farmer. I dominate the bucket tool. Hell, I even went as far as wielding the wizard wand selection tool once.
...OK I'm rubbish when it comes to Photoshop.
Very slick :)
Okay very interesting. How would that apply if your directory structure was set out like this?
/nr/rdonlyres/2069656a-f68e-4563-b9a5-4b9a9922f7a4/0/transferform0809.pdf
/nr/rdonlyres/86e6a9ab-1633-4e4b-8790-bff74df03487/0/lamslistpublishedweb11november08.pdf
As you can see the 3rd subfolder changes and could be anything.
What if I wanted it to look like.
/attachment/filename.pdf
Using the method you mentioned how would it work?
Cheers
zeroanarchy
hahaha melllttttttttt , no one likes you !