// displays/hides an element
function showHide(id) 
{
    if (document.getElementById(id).style.display == "none") 
    {
        document.getElementById(id).style.display = "block";
    }
    else 
    {
        document.getElementById(id).style.display = "none";
    }
}

// AJAX - displays loading placeholder while AJAX request executes
function beginArticleRefresh(context) 
{
    document.getElementById(context.get_updateTarget().id).innerHTML = "<div id=\"ajaxArticleLoading\">... loading -  please be patient</div><div class=\"clear\"></div>";
}

// AJAX - displays loading placeholder if AJAX request fails
function failedArticleRefresh(context) 
{
    document.getElementById(context.get_updateTarget().id).innerHTML = "<div id=\"ajaxArticleLoading\">error occurred</div><div class=\"clear\"></div>";
}