function acceptInput (el,value) {
        //switches to normal input mode
        el.className = 'typing';
        if (el.value == value) el.value='';
    }
    function resetInput (el,value) {
        // resets if no input is give
        if (el.value == '') {
            el.className = 'text';
            el.value = value
        }
    }
    function toggleDesignerTxt (box) {
        // turns text blue...or not
        des_txt = document.getElementById('designer_text');
        if (box.checked == true) des_txt.className = 'blue_text';
        else des_txt.className = '';
    }
    function slideForm (form) {
        // exposes the signup form
        if (!Element.visible('signup_fields')){ 
            Effect.SlideDown('signup_fields'); 
            return false;
        } 
        else if (form.email.value == 'your@email.com' || form.email.value == '' ) {
             return false;
        }
        else return (form.email.value.indexOf(".") > 2) && (form.email.value.indexOf("@") > 0);
        
    }