function $() {
  var elements = new Array();

  for (var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
    var element = arguments[i];
    if (typeof element == 'string')
      element = document.getElementById(element);

    if (arguments.length == 1)
      return element;

    elements.push(element);
  }

  return elements;
}

function addEvent(obj, evType, fn) {
  /* adds an eventListener for browsers which support it
     Written by Scott Andrew: nice one, Scott */
  if (obj.addEventListener){
    obj.addEventListener(evType, fn, false);
    return true;
  } else if (obj.attachEvent){
	var r = obj.attachEvent("on"+evType, fn);
    return r;
  } else {
	return false;
  }
}