function $(element) {
    element = document.getElementById(element);
  return element;
}



function hideBlock(id){
	var block = document.getElementById(id);
	block.style.display = 'none';
}


function Trim(STRING){
STRING = LTrim(STRING);
return RTrim(STRING);
}

function RTrim(STRING){
while(STRING.charAt((STRING.length -1))==" "){
STRING = STRING.substring(0,STRING.length-1);
}
return STRING;
}


function LTrim(STRING){
while(STRING.charAt(0)==" "){
STRING = STRING.replace(STRING.charAt(0),"");
}
return STRING;
}


function Split(STRING,CHARACTER){
return STRING.split(CHARACTER);
}


// Chechks for extra spacers
function trim_spaces(s){
	return Trim(s.replace(/\s{2,}/g, " "));
}


function getRadioGroupValue(radioGroupObj)
{
  for (var i=0; i < radioGroupObj.length; i++)
    if (radioGroupObj[i].checked) return radioGroupObj[i].value;

  return null;
}


function window_open(url,name,w,h,r,s,st)
{
      var w=window.open(url,name,"width="+w+",height="+h+",resizable="+r+",toolbar=0,location=0,status="+st+",menubar=0,directories=0,scrollbars="+s);
}



function highlightListItem(list, itemId){	
	jQuery("UL#"+list).find("LI A.activeItem").removeClass("activeItem");
	jQuery("UL#"+list).find("LI A#"+itemId).addClass("activeItem");
}