//****************************************************************************
//*removes all the child items of a given html element
//*
//*****************************************************************************
function removeAllChild(obj) {
    // so long as obj has children, remove them
    while(obj.firstChild) obj.removeChild(obj.firstChild);
}


/**
* Parses out querystring using JavaScript
*/
function getQueryVariable(variable) {
    var query = window.location.search.substring(1);
    var vars = query.split("&");
    for (var i=0;i<vars.length;i++) {
    var pair = vars[i].split("=");
        if (pair[0] == variable) {
        return pair[1];
        }
    } 
}

/**
* Extend String with trim function
*/
String.prototype.trim = function () {
 	//return this.replace(/^\s*(\S*(\s+\S+)*)\s*$/, "$1");
 	//return this.replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g,"");
 	return this.replace(/^\s\s*/, '').replace(/\s\s*$/, '');
};