function $() {
	  var elements = new Array();

	  for (var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
		var element = arguments[i];
		if (typeof element == 'string')
		  element = document.getElementById(element);

		if (arguments.length == 1) 
		  return element;

		elements.push(element);
	  }

	  return elements;
	}

	function trimString(str) {
		return str.replace(/(^\s*)|(\s*$)/g, "");
	}

	function hideMe( pid ) {
		document.getElementById(pid).style.display = 'none';
	}

	function showMe( pid ) {
		document.getElementById(pid).style.display = '';
	}

	function hideOrShow( pid ) {
		var n = document.getElementById(pid).style.display;
		if( n == 'none' ) {
			showMe( pid );
		}
		else hideMe( pid );

	}