<!--
/*
 * This function parses comma-separated name=value argument pairs from
 * the query string of the URL. It stores the name=value pairs in 
 * properties of an object and returns that object.
 */
function getArgs()
  {
  var args = new Object();
  var query = location.search.substring(1);  // Get query string.
  var pairs = query.split("&");              // Break at comma.
  for(var i = 0; i < pairs.length; i++) 
     {
     var pos = pairs[i].indexOf('=');       // Look for "name=value".

     if (pos == -1) continue;               // If not found, skip.
     var argname = pairs[i].substring(0,pos);  // Extract the name.
     var value = pairs[i].substring(pos+1); // Extract the value.
     args[argname] = unescape(value);          // Store as a property.
     }
  return args;                               // Return the object.
  }
// -->