function form_clear_textbox(boxID, defaultText) {
		//verify the parameters have been passed 
		if ((boxID != '') && (boxID != null)){
			
			var tb = document.getElementById(boxID); 
			
			// clear the text box if it contains the default text
			if (tb.value == defaultText)
							tb.value = ''; 
		}
	} 

	function limit_text (element_id, limit, text_limit_msg) {
		var text_item = document.getElementById(element_id);
		var new_len = limit;
		if (text_item.value.length >= limit) {
			text_item.value = text_item.value.substr(0,new_len);
			var d = document.getElementById(text_limit_msg);
			d.innerHTML = new_len + ' character limit';
		}
	}