function new_ajax()
{
    var ajax;
    try {
        ajax=new XMLHttpRequest();
    } catch(e) {
        //IE accommodations; NOBODY SHOULD BE USING IE
        //HERE but just in case any other browsers need
        //this to work
        try {
            ajax=new ActiveXObject("Msxm12.XMLHTTP");
        } catch(e) {
            try {
                ajax=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
            } catch(e) {
                alert('Are you using Netscape Navigator or something');
                return false;
            }
        }
    }
    return ajax;
}