// method that sets up a cross-browser XMLHttpRequest object
function getHTTPObject() {
    var http_object;

    // MSIE Proprietary method

    /*@cc_on
    @if (@_jscript_version >= 5)
        try {
            http_object = new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP");
        }
        catch (e) {
            try {
                http_object = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");
            }
            catch (E) {
                http_object = false;
            }
        }
    @else
        xmlhttp = http_object;
    @end @*/


    // Mozilla and others method

    if (!http_object && typeof XMLHttpRequest != 'undefined') {
        try {
            http_object = new XMLHttpRequest();
        }
        catch (e) {
            http_object = false;
        }
    }

    return http_object;
}