simply because at least 1/3 of the servers doesnt support mod_rewrite or even .htaccess itself...Thats why 4images trying to be more compatible with most of the servers while mods can be tweaked for specific server-related issues.
I think this is no longer true. Cause the very cheap root servers. But I can see that there are many server without mod_rewirte even non apaches like lighttpd's. But why not a solution for all users? You must not use mod_rewrite for search engine friendly urls. Yes it ist the easy way but It goes without too.
Or
Why ist ist not configurable. So that you must not use it if the server doesn't support it.
The problem with mod is that they are not in in the main distribution. they often break on new versions cause no standart API.
I will full ack you if there would be a standart API for such mods,. so that it don't break on everey update.
