[thelist] using mod_rewrite

[Rich Points]

Hi List,
Over the years I've read about mod_rewrite but I've never needed to use 
it.  I think I have an application for it now.

I'm setting up a new shopping cart that resides at a url something like

www.mysite.com/shopping_cart/index.php

and products are found

www.mysite.com/shopping_cart/product_page.php

When I make it live I would like that page to show up as

www.mysite.com/index.php or www.mysite.com

and product pages as

www.mysite.com/product_page.php

I'm pretty sure I can do this with mod_rewrite but I'm not quite sure 
how to do it.  I know I need to edit the .htaccess  but not exactly sure 
on the syntax.

How can I do this?

thanks
Rich