function preload_images(imageAr){
	preload_image_object = new Image();
	for(var i in imageAr){
		preload_image_object.src = imageAr[i];
    }
}

function getParameterByName( name ){
	name = name.replace(/[\[]/,"\\\[").replace(/[\]]/,"\\\]");
	var regexS = "[\\?&]"+name+"=([^&#]*)";
	var regex = new RegExp( regexS );
	var results = regex.exec( window.location.href );
	if( results == null ){
		return "";
	} else {
		return decodeURIComponent(results[1].replace(/\+/g, " "));
	}
}
//helper function to create the form
function getNewSubmitForm(){
	var submitForm = document.createElement("FORM");
	document.body.appendChild(submitForm);
	submitForm.method = "POST";
	return submitForm;
}

//helper function to add elements to the form
function createNewFormElement(inputForm, elementName, elementValue, elementType){
	var newElement = document.createElement("INPUT");
	newElement.value = elementValue;
	newElement.name= elementName;
	newElement.type=elementType;
	inputForm.appendChild(newElement);
	return newElement;
}