function getRequestObject() {
	var newRequest = null;

	try { // compliant browsers
		newRequest = new XMLHttpRequest();
	} catch (trymicrosoft) { // non compliant browsers
		try { // msie
			newRequest = new ActiveXObject("Msxm12.XMLHTTP");
		} catch (othermicrosoft) { // more non compliant browsers
			try { // yet more msie
				newRequest = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
			} catch (failed) { // this browser doesn't support AJAX
				newRequest = null;
			}
		}
	}

	return newRequest;
} // getRequestObject