/* javascript function to update form field
 *  field       form field that is being counted
 *  count       form field that will show characters left
 *  maxchars    maximum number of characters
 * @todo REMOVE HARD: included from GC_return, document_product_info,document_general_info, product_free_shipping_info, product_info: used only in modules/attributes.php 
*/
function characterCount(field, count, maxchars) {
  var realchars = field.value.replace(/\t|\r|\n|\r\n/g,'');
  var excesschars = realchars.length - maxchars;
  if (excesschars > 0) {
        field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxchars);
        alert("Error:\n\n- You are only allowed to enter up to"+maxchars+" characters.");
    } else {
        count.value = maxchars - realchars.length;
    }
}