/* toggles on/off a hilighted version of the given image given the current state*/
function toggle_hilite(obj,state) {
  // if state is true, toggle on
  if(state) {
/*
    // show hilited image
    obj.src = obj.src.replace(/\.gif/,'_hilite.gif');
*/
    // if not already hilited
    if(!obj.src.match(/_hilite/)) {
      // show hilited image
      obj.src = obj.src.replace(/\.jpg/,'_hilite.jpg');
    }
  }
  // else if false, toggle off
  else {
    // show unhilited image
    obj.src = obj.src.replace(/_hilite\.jpg/,'.jpg');
  }
}

/* given a string, sets the window status (or given nothing, sets it to empty) */
function set_status(status_string) {
  //ensure its at least an empty string
  if(status_string == undefined) status_string = '';
  
  //set status and return true
  window.status = status_string;
  return true;
}