function validateForm(theForm) {
    var why = "";
    why += checkFirstName(theForm.emma_member_name_first.value);
    why += checkLastName(theForm.emma_member_name_last.value);
    why += checkEmail(theForm.emma_member_email.value);
    if (why != "") {
       alert(why);
       return false;
    }
return true;
}

function checkFirstName (strng) {
	var error = "";
	if (strng == "") {
    	error = "Please enter a first name.\n";
    }
    return error;
 }
 
function checkLastName (strng) {
	var error = "";
	if (strng == "") {
    	error = "Please enter a last name.\n";
 	}
    return error;
 }
 
function checkEmail (strng) {	
	var emailFilter=/^.+@.+\..{2,3,4,6}$/;
	if (!(emailFilter.test(strng))) { 
		error = "Please enter a valid email address.\n";
	}
	var illegalChars= /[\(\)\<\>\,\;\:\\\/\"\[\]]/
	if (strng.match(illegalChars)) {
		error = "The email address contains illegal characters.\n";
	}
    return error;
}