Change Article Directory URL

My article directory needs quite a bit of work...but right now, I am looking for a coder that can shorten the article directory url.... example: [login to view URL] Want to see something like: [login to view URL] Without the /articles/article part of the url...as the domain already implies articles.... I am not sure how the URL process is guided, htaccess? I do know the script uses smarty templates. Should be fairly simple, maybe a tweak to show the proper URL when articles are created. Thanks for looking ## Deliverables 1) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Employer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No 3rd party components unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the employer on the site per the worker's Worker Legal Agreement). ## Platform mysql, php, smarty