/* =====================================================================
helper function - creates xmlhttp object to handle ajax requests
===================================================================== */
function createxmlHttp() {
	var xmlHttp; 
	try {
		// Firefox, Opera 8.0+, Safari
		xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest();
	} catch(e) {
		// Internet Explorer
		try {
			xmlHttp = new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP");
		} catch(e) {
			try {
				xmlHttp = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
			} catch(e) {
				alert("Your browser does not support AJAX!");
				return false;
			}
		}
	}
	return xmlHttp;
}