function textCounter(field, maxlimit) {
    if (field.value.length > maxlimit) // if too long...trim it!
        field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit);
        // otherwise, update 'characters left' counter
    else {
        var counter = document.getElementById("text_counter"); 
        counter.innerHTML = maxlimit - field.value.length;
    }
}