/* javascript function to update form field
 *  field      form field that is being counted
 *  count      form field that will show characters left
 *  maxchars   maximum number of characters
*/
function characterCount(field, count, maxchars) {
  var realchars = field.value.replace(/\t|\r|\n|\r\n/g,'');
  var excesschars = realchars.length - maxchars;
 if (excesschars > 0) {
      field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxchars);
      alert("Error:\n\n- You are only allowed to enter up to"+maxchars+" characters.");
   } else {
      count.value = maxchars - realchars.length;
   }
}