var newwin;
function launchwin(winurl,winname,winfeatures)
{
       //This launches a new window and then
       //focuses it if window.focus() is supported.
       // call like: javascript:launchwin('./cgi-local/literature.cgi' , 'newwindow' , 'height=540,width=470,resizable=no,scrollbars=yes,menubar=no,toolbar=no,screenX=0,screenY=0')"

       newwin = window.open(winurl,winname,winfeatures);
       if(javascript_version > 1.0)
       {
               //delay a bit here because IE4 encounters errors
               //when trying to focus a recently opened window
               setTimeout('newwin.focus();',250);
       }
}