/* search form  */
function startSearch(){

if( document.searchForm.ss.value == "" ){
alert("Please enter a search term");
return false;
}

if( document.searchForm.ss.value.length < 2 ){
alert("Sorry! Your search should contain at least 2 characters");
return false;

}

}

function submit_search_form(form, SM_SS) {

form.ss.value=SM_SS;
form.types.value="";
form.submit();
return true;
}