how do i make a htaccess file to redirect visitors?

[Van Hellseek]

i want to redirect visitors to a temporary page while i work on my site, what do i need to put in the htaccess file to do this?

 

[Van Hellseek]

RewriteRule ^old_page.htm$ new_page.htm [R=302,NC,L]

ok, how will i know if it's working or not?
i mean in theory it shouldnt affect my own access right?

edit: also, wouldn't this just direct visitors away from a single page? i need to restrict access to the entire site while i am working on it. how would i do this?

 

[Van Hellseek]

Rewrite everything to a certain URL provided the user has an IP that isn't yours. You'll need a RewriteRule for the first part and a RewriteCond for the second.

how is this done?

sorry, i have no idea about htaccess files.