function validate(){
	//error handling
	is_err = false;
	err_msg = '';
	
	//capture the inputs
	var frm = document.getElementById('contact_form');
	var name = frm.Name.value;
	var phone = frm.Phone_number.value;
	var email = frm.Email_address.value;
	
	//validate
	if(name == ''){
		is_err = true;
		err_msg = "Please enter your name.\n";
	}
	
	if(phone == ''){
		is_err = true;
		err_msg += "Please enter your phone number.\n";
	}
	
	var reg = new RegExp(/^[0-9a-zA-Z\.]+@[0-9a-zA-Z]+[\.]{1}[0-9a-zA-Z]+[\.]?[0-9a-zA-Z]+$/);
	if(!reg.test(email) && email != ''){
     	is_err = true;
 		err_msg += "The email address specified appears to be invalid.\n";
    }
	
	//alert user or pass through
	if(is_err){
		alert(err_msg);
		return false;
	} else {
		return true;
	}
}