function checkform ( form )
{
  // ** START **

	  if (form.firstname.value == "") {
    alert( "Please fill in the First Name field." );
    form.firstname.focus();
    return false ;
  }
	 if (form.lastname.value == "") {
    alert( "Please fill in the Last Name field." );
    form.lastname.focus();
    return false ;
  }
   var emailFilter=/^.+@.+\..{2,3}$/;
    if (!(emailFilter.test(form.email.value))) { 
      alert("Please enter a valid email address.");
				form.email.focus();
    return false ;
    }
    else {
//test email for illegal characters
       var illegalChars= /[\(\)\<\>\,\;\:\\\"\[\]]/
         if (form.email.value.match(illegalChars)) {
          alert("The email address contains illegal characters.");
										form.email.focus();
    return false ;
       }
    }
				
					
  if (form.state.value == "Pick One") {
    alert( "Please fill in the State field." );
    form.state.focus();
    return false ;
  }
   if (form.zip.value == "") {
    alert( "Please fill in the Zip field." );
    form.zip.focus();
    return false ;
  }
    if (form.submittedby.value == "Pick One") {
    alert( "Please pick which category best describes you" );
    form.submittedby.focus();
    return false ;
  }

  // ** END **
  return true ;
}