trouble browsing to directory without trailing /

How can I set it up so I can browse to a directory without having to include a trailing forward slash?

(ex.) http://example.com/~user
(instead of) http://example.com/~user/

error message without the trailing / :
'Cannot find server or DNS Error'

Thanks for any help.

Eric

>> so I can browse to a directory without having to include a trailing forward slash

This issue has been addressed age ago and normally it shouldn't happen to Apache 1.3.xx.

>> error message without the trailing /

Because Apache can't determine your FQDN. It's not Apache problem but your basic system configuration. Once you set your IP to map to a FQDN, then restart Apache the error should go away automatically.

Keep in mind, when your request_uri doesn't contain a trailing forward slash, AT ALL TIME, it will put a load on Apache to look for the request file and see if it's a file or a directory.
That said, when you are requesting a uri path -> as a directory in file system, you should add the slash at all time. When a trailing slash is added, Apache will know immediately you are requesting a directory, not a file.

Anyhow, there is a way to force Apache to do external redirection explictly like so:

UserDir http://your-non-fqdn-here/~*/

This way is not recommended but it will work. But you really should fix your non-FQDN instead.

Another stupid way is to enable MultiViews.