function getArgs( url ) {
	var args = new Object();
	var query = url.search.substring(1);				// Get query string
	var pairs = query.split( "&" );						// Break at comma
	
	for( var i=0; i<pairs.length; i++ ) {
		var pos = pairs[i].indexOf('=');				// Look for "name=value "
		if( pos == -1 ) continue;						// If not found, skip
		var argname = pairs[i].substring( 0,pos );		// Extract the name
		var value = pairs[i].substring( pos+1 );		// Extract the value
		args[argname] = unescape( value );				// Store as a propertyS
	}
	return args;
}

// An array of input fields that are required is passed in
function validateRequiredFields( fields ) {
	for( i=0; i<fields.length; i++ ) {
		if( isEmpty( fields[i].value ) ) {
			alert( "Please enter a value for " + fields[i].name );
			fields[i].focus();
			return false;
		}
	}
	return true;
}

// check if str is empty
function isEmpty (str) {
	if (str == null || str == "")
		return true;
	else
		return false;
}

// This function is to help us avoid the evil spammers
// Takes an email address such as "name[at]domain[dot]com"
// and returns "name@domain.com"
function parseEmailAddress( invalidEmailAddr ) {
	var validEmailAddr;
	
	validEmailAddr = invalidEmailAddr.replace( /\[at\]/, "@" );
	validEmailAddr = validEmailAddr.replace( /\[dot\]/, "." );
	
	return validEmailAddr;
}