When using mod_rewrite with php_include for folder protection, can the .htaccess plugin then be unplugged (removed) from aMember setup? Another way to ask this question is: Is the .htaccess plugin needed with mod_rewrite with php_include or can the .htaccess plugin be disabled when using using mod_rewrite with php_include?
Yes, you can disable htpasswd plugin, and don't mix .htpasswd with .htaccess - very different things!