<!---- BEGIN FORM VALIDATION ---->	
	<!-- 
		
	function checkform(thisform)
	{
		if (document.theform.first_name.value == "")
		{
		document.theform.first_name.focus();
	    alert("Please provide first name.");
	    return false;
	    }
		if (document.theform.last_name.value == "")
		{
		document.theform.last_name.focus();
	    alert("Please provide last name.");
	    return false;
	    }
				
		if (document.theform.email.value.indexOf("@") == -1 ||
	       (document.theform.email.value.indexOf('.') == -1))
	
	    {
		document.theform.email.focus();
	    alert("Please enter a valid e-mail address");
	    return false;
	    }	
		
		if (document.theform.company.value == "")
		{
		document.theform.company.focus();
	    alert("Please provide company.");
	    return false;
	    }
					
		if (document.theform.format.type != "hidden"){
			if ( ( document.theform.format[0].checked == false )
	   		 && ( document.theform.format[1].checked == false ) 
			 && ( document.theform.format[2].checked == false ))
	    	{
	        alert ( "Please select format." );
	        return false;
	    	}
		}
		
		if ( ( document.theform.sharing[0].checked == false )
   		 && ( document.theform.sharing[1].checked == false ))
    	{
        alert ( "Please let us know if we can share your presentation after the event." );
        return false;
    	}
		
		
		if (document.theform.abstractSub.value == "")
		{
		document.theform.abstractSub.focus();
	    alert("Please provide an abstract for your presentation or poster.");
	    return false;
	    }
			
	}		
	
	function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) {
		if (field.value.length > maxlimit) // if too long...trim it!
		field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit);
		// otherwise, update 'characters left' counter
		else 
		countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length;
		}						
	  // -->			  
<!---- END FORM VALIDATION ---->