//----- detect the browser and version
function getVersion()
{
    var index;
    var versionStr = navigator.appVersion;
    if (-1 != (index = versionStr.indexOf("MSIE")))
        versionStr = versionStr.substring(index+4);

    return parseFloat(versionStr);
}

var gNN = ("Netscape" == navigator.appName);

var gMSIE = ("Microsoft Internet Explorer" == navigator.appName);

// This corresponds to the Mozilla version.  It is NOT the version of the
// actual browser.
var gVERSION = getVersion(navigator.appVersion);

var gPLATFORM = navigator.platform;