function ShowEffect(element){
       new Effect.Opacity(element, {duration:1, from:0, to:1.0});
   }
   function HideEffect(element){
		new Effect.Opacity(element, {duration:1, from:1.0, to:0});
   }
   function TimeOut(element) {
   		new Effect.Opacity(element, {duration:5, from:1.0, to:1.0});
   }
   function FlashMessage(element) {
   	new Effect.Appear(element, {duration:2, from:0, to:1.0, queue: { position :'end', scope: 'flashMessage'} });
//   	new Effect.Opacity(element, {duration:3, from:1.0, to:1.0, queue: { position :'end', scope: 'flashMessage'} });
//   	new Effect.Opacity(element, {duration:1, from:1.0, to:0, queue: { position :'end', scope: 'flashMessage'} });
//   	new Effect.SlideUp(element, {duration:1, queue: { position :'end', scope: 'flashMessage'}});
   }

	Effect.Transitions.slowstop = function(pos) {
	  return 1-Math.pow(0.5,20*pos);
	}