function checkLength() {

  if ( cancelClicked ) return true;

  if ( document.getElementById('subject').value.length > 80 )
  {
    alert("The Topic Subject you entered is too long (max. 80 characters).");
    document.getElementById('subject').focus();
    return false;
  }

  if ( document.getElementById('content').value.length > 1024 * 50 )
  {
    alert("The message you entered is too long (max. 50 k).");
    document.getElementById('content').focus();
    return false;
  }

  if ( document.getElementById('subject').value.length == 0 )
  {
    alert("Please enter a Topic Subject.");
    document.getElementById('subject').focus();
    return false;
  }

  if ( document.getElementById('content').value.length == 0 )
  {
    alert("Please type some text for your message.");
    document.getElementById('content').focus();
    return false;
  }

}