function empty(item)
{
	if (typeof(item)=="undefined") return true; 
	if (item==null) return true;
	return false; 
}

function submit_form ( ths )
{
  if ( ths.elements['_SUBMITTED'].value=='true' )
  {
    alert ( 'Your form has already been submitted. Thank you.' );
    return false;
  }
  else
  {
    ths.elements['_SUBMITTED'].value = 'true';
    return true;
  }
}

var preloadFlag = false;
function preloadImages() {
		preloadFlag = true;
}