function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) {

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