The theory is when we know everything and nothing works.
The practice is when everything works and nobody knows why.
If the practice and theory are met, nothing works and we do not know why.
yes but the doc also says "Add the following rewrite rules to your Apache configuration file before the other/existing rules", the last part means you need to put it togheter with you other rewrite rules for your virtual host setup.
More on virtual host setup:
http://ez.no/doc/ez_publish/technical_manual/4_0/installation/virtual_host_setup http://ez.no/doc/ez_publish/technical_manual/4_0/installation/virtual_host_setup/virtual_host_example
It's also worth to mention that it needs to be after "RewriteEngine On"...