When I try to use this rule:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^articleID/([^/]*)$ /viewArticle.php?articleID=$1 [L]
It sends me to a 404 page.
I am not well-versed in how to use an htaccess, so I most likely did something wrong. I generated it with a tool at generateit.net
I'm trying to access http://majornoob.com/devel/testdesign/articleID/5 which would equal http://majornoob.com/devel/testdesign/viewArticle.php?articleID=5
Try to add a RewriteBase:
RewriteBase /
Also make sure that your server accept htaccess files. Does the Server configure contains a AllowOverride all statment in your Directory Directive.
With the path, it should work:
RewriteRule articleID/([^/]*)$ /devel/testdesign/viewArticle.php?articleID=$1 [L]