function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit)
{
  if (field.value.length > maxlimit) // if too long...trim it!
    {
      field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit);
    }
  else // otherwise, update 'characters left' counter
    chars_left=maxlimit - field.value.length;
    if (chars_left > 1) countfield.value = chars_left + ' characters left';
    if (chars_left == 0) countfield.value = chars_left + ' characters left';
    if (chars_left == 1) countfield.value = chars_left + ' character left';
}