NineChime forum

mod_rewirite is activated by uploading a special file to your server.  If required, this file usually comes with forum or BBS software, so you don't have to worry about it.  Nobody really needs mod_rewrite to run a website.  It's just another tool.

As for e-mails, Wax 5.5.7 now allows people to register if the server doesn't support e-mail.  The three options are:

1) You approve each member manually, and they receive an e-mail notifying them that they have been approved.

2) They activate their own account via a link they get in their e-mail

3) If server e-mailing doesn't work, they are approved right away.

No.  The oekaki boards do not benefit from mod_rewrite, and will work just fine with or without it.

mod_rewrite is a way to improve security, to make web addresses look better, and make permanent links easier to access.  It's popular with administrators for its power, but not required, and you really have to know what you are doing to use it.

It's best not to think about using it.  It's a real hacker's tool. 

Example:

www.host.com/forum/artwork/145672/

...with a proper (complex?) rewrite rule might be interpreted by the server as:

www.host.com/forum/viewindex.php?forum=artwork&mid=145672

It can also be used for stuff that has been moved, so going to www.host.com/MyBoardWithTeribleName may redirect to www.host.com/nice/