function checkContactForm(contact_form) {
	var why = "";
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.first_name.value, 'First Name');
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.last_name.value, 'First Name');
	why += checkEmail(document.forms.contact_form.email.value);
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.phone.value, 'Phone');
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.address.value, 'Address');
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.city.value, 'City');
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.state.value, 'State');
	why += checkField(document.forms.contact_form.zipcode.value, 'Zipcode');
	
	if (why != "") {
	   alert(why);
	   return false;
	}else{
		return true;
	}
}



function checkEmail (strng) {
	var error="";
	if (strng == "") {
	   error = "You didn't enter an Email Address.\n";
	}

    var emailFilter=/^.+@.+\..{2,3}$/;
    if (!(emailFilter.test(strng))) { 
       error = "Please enter a valid email address.\n";
    }
    else {
//test email for illegal characters
       var illegalChars= /[\(\)\<\>\,\;\:\\\"\[\]]/
         if (strng.match(illegalChars)) {
          error = "The email address contains illegal characters.\n";
       }
    }
return error;    
}
function checkField (strng, field_name) {
	var error = "";
	if (strng == "") {
		error = "Please enter your "+field_name+'.\n';
	}
	if (strng == " ") {
		error = "Please enter your "+field_name+'.\n';
	}
	return error; 
}