Ok Monks here is the skinny:
I installed apache on a linux box. I want to set a directory that only permits access via password. This is what my .htaccess files looks like:

AuthName "this is neat" 
AuthUserFile /the_path_to_to_the_file/.htaccess
require valid-user
[download]

I created my .htpasswd file with an initial password. When I go to the location of the .htaccess file via http://localhost/passpwordprotecteddir/page.html, nothing happens! I can still get to that directory and view the html page , NO PASSWORD PROTECTION TAKES PLACE. Is anyone familar with .htaccess files? Does apache server need to be configured for this?
-thanks