var maximumLength = 500;

function textCounter(control) { 
	var length = control.value.length;
	document.review.counter.value = length;
}

function checkLength(control, maximum) {
  var length = control.value.length;
  if (length > maximum) {
    var contents = control.value.substring(0,(maximumLength-1));
    control.value = contents;
    alert('Please limit your message to ' + maximumLength
        + ' characters. There are currently ' + length + '.');
    return false;
  }
  return true;
}

function validate(form) {
  var controls = form.elements;

  if (!checkLength(controls.textArea, maximumLength))
    return false;

  return true;
}