function createXmlHttpRequestObject() {
	// will store the reference to the XMLHttpRequest object
	var xmlHttp;
	// this should work for all browsers except IE6 and older
	try {
		// try to create XMLHttpRequest object
		xmlHttp = new XMLHttpRequest();
		}
	catch(e) {
		// assume IE6 or older
		var XmlHttpVersions = new Array("MSXML2.XMLHTTP.6.0",
		                                "MSXML2.XMLHTTP.5.0",
		                                "MSXML2.XMLHTTP.4.0",
		                                "MSXML2.XMLHTTP.3.0",
		                                "MSXML2.XMLHTTP",
		                                "Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
		// try every prog id until one works

		for (var i=0; i < XmlHttpVersions.length && !xmlHttp; i++) {
			try {
				// try to create XMLHttpRequest object
				xmlHttp = new ActiveXObject(XmlHttpVersions[i]);
				}
			catch (e) {}

			}

		}

	// return the created object or display an error message
	if (!xmlHttp)
		alert("Error creating the XMLHttpRequest object.");
	else
		return xmlHttp;
}