[surferboy]

I am using a set of security scripts that I bought to protect my website. There are several methods of protection- one of which uses .htaccess, utilizing mod_rewrite.

When I employ this method, it seems that the performance of the server really takes a hit.

For example, I use a pop-up javascript driven menu that works great when the file is not in a directory that uses mod_rewrite protectio, but if the file sits in a directory that is protected using mod_rewrite, it essentially cripples the performance of the menu when using internet explorer for windows.

Interestingly, the menu seems to work OK in Safari regardless, but in Win IE, it breaks down when it sits in a protected directory.

I did some reading, and found that there are some commands that can influence server speed such as the RewriteLogLevel. So, I started thinking that maybe the crippled performance is due to a slowdown of the server- perhaps related to what's going on inside the .htacces file.

Here's what is in my .htaccess file:

Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond $1 !special_login\.php
RewriteRule ^(.+)$ special_login.php?thefile=$1

Don't know much about this stuff- mostly stabbing in the dark. Based on the above discussion, what is the likelihood that my theory is correct (that the menu is performing poorly because of server slowdown), and what are the chances that it can be corrected by modifying the .htaccess file?

Here is an example of a non-protected page that works well in all browsers.

And, this one gets crippled in Windows IE. When trying to access this, use the login name GUEST1 and password PASSWORD.

Thanks for you thoughts.

[l008com]

.htaccess files in general slow down performance, and putting mod_rewrite rules within them slows things down even more. Your best bet is, if you have access, to put all the rules and everything else in your .htaccess file, in your apache httpd.conf file.

[genevish]

If you get good performance from Safari, but not from IE, then it's not a server issue. Either the perceived difference is not real, or there is something on the page that is slowing down IE (the JavaScript maybe?).

[surferboy]

solid insight. probably the java.

[Millennium]

.htaccess and mod_rewrite do slow down Apache somewhat, but that performance hit happens on the server side, so it should affect all browsers equally. As genevish noted, when one browser is slower than others, it's usually something to do with either JavaScript or a plug-in you're using.