// this function will inspect to see if a person inputted the correct information for joining
function inspect() {
 a = document.thisForm;
 // testing to see if the user inputted a first name---hopefully theirs
 if(a.fn.value == "") {
  alert("Your first name is required to complete this form");
  a.fn.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted a first name of at least length 2
 if(a.fn.value.length < 3)
 {
  alert("Your name (" + a.fn.value + ") is too short!");
  a.fn.focus
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted a last name
 if(a.ln.value == "") {
  alert("Your last name is required to complete this form");
  a.ln.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted a first name of at least length 2
 if(a.ln.value.length < 3)
 {
  alert("Your name (" + a.ln.value + ") is too short!");
  a.ln.focus
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted an email address
 if(a.email.value == "") {
  alert("Your email is required to complete this form");
  a.email.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // everything is ok, continue
 return(true);
}

// this function will inspect to see if a person inputted the correct information for answering a question
function inspectAns() {
 a = document.thisForm;
 // testing to see if the user inputted a first name---hopefully theirs
 if(a.fn.value == "") {
  alert("Your first name is required to complete this form");
  a.fn.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted a first name of at least length 2
 if(a.fn.value.length < 3)
 {
  alert("Your name (" + a.fn.value + ") is too short!");
  a.fn.focus
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted a last name
 if(a.ln.value == "") {
  alert("Your last name is required to complete this form");
  a.ln.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted a first name of at least length 2
 if(a.ln.value.length < 3)
 {
  alert("Your name (" + a.ln.value + ") is too short!");
  a.ln.focus
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted an email address
 if(a.email.value == "") {
  alert("Your email is required to complete this form");
  a.email.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // testing to see if the user inputted an answer
 if(a.answer.value == "") {
  alert("Your answer is required to complete this form");
  a.email.focus();
  return(false);
 }
 // everything is ok, continue
 return(true);
}