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

function textLimit(field, maxlimit) 
{
  if (field.value.length > maxlimit)
    field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit);  
}