Configuring settings without activating
 

Any tricks to do this? I saw a plugin called Theme Test Drive but its reviews were terrible. Otherwise, I'll go with the old standby of using a redirect plugin.

Easy...it's called having a playsite - make it a sub domain - do what ever you want to the settings, then export them from there and import them in the production site.

A playsite is a way to test new plugins, upgrades, new ideas etc without effecting your production site.