/* borrowed from protoype 
  Version: '1.4.0_rc2',
*/
if (typeof BUG!="undefined") {alert("loading lib.js");}

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;
}

/* based on prototype */
function showblock() {
    for (var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
      var element = $(arguments[i]);
	  //alert(element.nodeName);
      element.style.display = 'block';
    } // end for
  }