function $(ojbId) {
	/* $ shortcut function
		ABOUT:				Shortcut for document.getElementById(objId).  Idea from Prototype JavaScript library.
		BUGS:				None known
		TODO:				Consider upgrading to Prototype's actual function in the future.
		PARAMETERS:			objId - string of desired element's ID attribute.
		RETURNED VALUES:	reference to object with desired ID.
			CHANGE LOG:
		2006.04.11   JEM   Created.
	*/
	var el = document.getElementById(ojbId);
	return el;
}

function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0
  window.open(theURL,winName,features);
}


function checkOpenForm(){
if($('email').value == "" || $('password').value == ""){
alert('Be sure to fill in both the Name and Password fields.');
}else{
window.location = "instructor.cfm";
}
}

function checkRestrictedForm(){
if($('USERNAME').value == "" || $('PASSWORD').value == ""){
alert('Be sure to fill in both the Name and Password fields.');
}else{
window.location = "instructor.cfm";
}
}