function  _checkForm(_CF_this){
    if  (_CF_this.fname.value == "" || 	
		 _CF_this.fname.value.indexOf("<") != -1 || 	
		 _CF_this.fname.value.indexOf(">") != -1 || 	
		 _CF_this.fname.value.indexOf("&") != -1){ 
			 alert("A first name is required");  
             return false; 
        }
    if  (_CF_this.lname.value == ""  || 	
		 _CF_this.lname.value.indexOf("<") != -1 || 	
		 _CF_this.lname.value.indexOf(">") != -1 || 	
		 _CF_this.lname.value.indexOf("&") != -1){ 
			 alert("A last name is required.");  
             return false; 
        }
    if (_CF_this.email.value.indexOf("@") == -1 ||
	    _CF_this.email.value == ""  || 	
	    _CF_this.email.value.indexOf("<") != -1 || 	
		_CF_this.email.value.indexOf(">") != -1 || 	
		_CF_this.email.value.indexOf("&") != -1){ 
		
    		 alert("Invalid email address.");  
             return false; 
        }
     if  (!_CF_this.release.checked) {
			 alert("You must read and agree to the copyright release in order to post your story on this site.");  
             return false; 
        }
	return true;
}