function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) {
	if (field.value.length > maxlimit) {
		field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit);
		var msg = "There is a "+maxlimit+" character limit.";
		alert(msg);
	} else {
		countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length;
	}
}

function validate ()
{
    // required:  method, monthly, individual,biz_name, realname, day_phone and email
    if (document.preapp.biz_name.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please supply the name of the business');
        document.preapp.biz_name.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else if (document.preapp.method.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please select a payment method');
        document.preapp.method.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else if (document.preapp.individual.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please select an average charge amount');
        document.preapp.individual.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else if (document.preapp.monthly.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please select a monthly volume amount');
        document.preapp.monthly.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else if (document.preapp.realname.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please supply the contact name');
        document.preapp.realname.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else if (document.preapp.day_phone.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please supply a phone number');
        document.preapp.day_phone.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else if (document.preapp.email.value == "")
    {
        window.alert('Please supply an email address');
        document.preapp.email.focus();
        return false;
    }
    else
    {	
		NewWindow=window.open("Merchant-Application-Form-Thanks.htm","thanks","toolbar=0,location=0,status=0,menubar=0,scrollbars=0,resizable=0,width=795,height=540")
        return true;
    }
}