If you're on apache, you can add the following to the top-level .htaccess file: 
ErrorDocument 404 /404.cgi

[download]
That will internally redirect any non-found requests to /404.cgi. 404.cgi can then figure out what the original request was by examining $ENV{REQUEST_URI} and show the appropriate information (i.e a valid user page, or a 404 not found page)

In my experience, this works on lots of shared hosting solutions even if mod_rewrite isn't available.

"What should it profit a man, if he should win a flame war, yet lose his cool?"

In reply to Re^3: Member url's by Joost
in thread Member url's by Anonymous Monk

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