Alternate to mod_rewrite?

[cyberious]

I'm designing a PHP driven site, so I want to shorten the url's so that search engines won't have trouble locating the pages within the site. The problem is the hosting server doesn't allow mod_rewrite rule.

Isn't there another option that performs the same results? The hosting company suggested I use .htaccess file, but isn't that the same thing? If they don't allow mod_rewrite, I don't know how to get around this.

Anyone have experience with this?

[morpheus.100]

Most medern spiders will have no problem spidering your dynamic url's. My site is spidered well and I have done nothing to change appearence of my URL's. If you want alternative methods try the zend website as there are tutorials for alternative methods there.

[adore]

Originally Posted by cyberious

The hosting company suggested I use .htaccess file, but isn't that the same thing?

Yes, it is.

Regarding alternate method:
This should be helpful:
http://forums.devshed.com/archive/t-107214

[cyberious]

I tried checking the Zend website and I'm completely lost there. I'm not a programmer, so couldn't understand the information there at all.

Anyone know of another site for php-dummies, or another method altogether?