I take your point, in this instance though the target environment has a strictly controlled SOE with IE5 with javascript turned on and I was told to make the user feedback java alerts... I didn't mention it because I was trying to stay out of the javascript debate :)
What do you mean by an "ordinary button"? I still need to submit the form if the user hits OK on the java confirm popup, how else would I do that?
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Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. -Margaret Mitchell