function  validateAFFSignupForm(f)
{
	if (f.invitation_code.value.length == 0)
	{
		alert("Please enter an Invitation Code.");
		f.invitation_code.focus();
		return false;
	}
	// validate nickname
	if (f.username.value.length == 0)
	{
		alert("Please enter a Username.");
		f.username.focus();
		return false;
	}

	if ((f.username.value.length < 2) || (f.username.value.length > 12))
	{
		alert("The nickname must be between 2 and 12 letters and/or numbers.");
		f.username.focus();
		return false;
	}

	// validate email
	if (f.email.value.length == 0)
	{
		alert("Please enter your email address.");
		f.email.focus();
		return false;
	}

	if (f.email.value != f.email1.value)
	{
	    alert("The two emails do not match. Please retype.");
	    f.email.focus();
	    return false;
	}

	var i = 1;
	var s = f.email.value;
	var l = s.length;

	while ((i < l) && (s.charAt(i) != "@"))
	{
		i++;
	}

	if ((i >= l) || (s.charAt(i) != "@"))
	{
		alert("The email address is invalid. Please enter your full email address (eg. name@server.com)");
		f.email.focus();
		return false;
	}
	else
	{
		i += 2;
	}

	while ((i < l) && (s.charAt(i) != "."))
	{
		i++;
	}

	if ((i >= l - 1) || (s.charAt(i) != "."))
	{
		alert("The email address is invalid. Please enter your full email address (eg. name@server.com)");
		f.email.focus();
		return false;
	}

	// validate password
	if (f.password1.value.length == 0)
	{
		alert("Please enter a password.\n-it must be 8-12 numbers AND letters long\n-it must contain BOTH numbers and letters.");
		f.password1.focus();
		return false;
	}

	var numberOfDigits = 0;
	var numberOfLetters = 0;
	var numberOfGarbageChars = 0;
	s = f.password1.value;

	for (i = 0; i < s.length; i++)
	{
		var c = s.charAt(i);
		if ( ((c >= "a") && (c <= "z")) || ((c >= "A") && (c <= "Z")) )
		{
			numberOfLetters++;
		}
		else if ((c >= "0") && (c <= "9"))
		{
			numberOfDigits++;
		}
		else
		{
			numberOfGarbageChars++;
		}
	}

	if (numberOfGarbageChars > 0)
	{
		alert("The password may only contain letters (a-z A-Z) and numericals (0-9).");
		f.password1.focus();
		return false;
	}

	if (((f.password1.value.length < 8) || (f.password1.value.length > 12)) && ((numberOfDigits == 0) || (numberOfLetters == 0)))
	{
		alert("The password must be between 8 and 12 numbers and letters.");
		f.password1.focus();
		return false;
	}
	else if ((numberOfDigits == 0) || (numberOfLetters == 0))
	{
		alert("The password must contain both letters AND numbers.");
		f.password1.focus();
		return false;
	}
	else if ((f.password1.value.length < 8) || (f.password1.value.length > 12))
	{
		alert("The password must be between 8 and 12 characters.");
		f.password1.focus();
		return false;
	}

	if (f.password2.value.length == 0)
	{
		alert("Please retype your password in the second password box.");
		f.password2.focus();
		return false;
	}

	if (f.password1.value != f.password2.value)
	{
		alert("The two passwords do not match. Please retype.");
		f.password1.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(f.firstName.value.length == 0){
		alert("Please enter your First Name.");
		f.firstName.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(f.lastName.value.length == 0){
		alert("Please enter your Last Name.");
		f.lastName.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(f.contact.value.length == 0){
		alert("Please enter your Contact and select the type below.");
		f.contact.focus();
		return false;
	}
	else{
		var ct_checked = false;
		for (var i=0; i < f.contact_type.length; i++)
		   {
		   if (f.contact_type[i].checked)
		      {
			ct_checked = true;
		      }
		   }
		
		if(!ct_checked){
			alert("Please select your Contact Type below the Contact text field.");
			return false;
		}
	}
	if(f.company.value.length == 0){
		alert("Please enter your Company.");
		f.company.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(f.domain.value.length == 0){
		alert("Please enter your Domain.");
		f.domain.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(!f.antispam.checked){
		alert("You must agree to our AntiSpam Policy.");
		f.antispam.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(!f.terms.checked){
		alert("You must agree to our Terms & Conditions.");
		f.terms.focus();
		return false;
	}
	if(!f.aff_agreement.checked){
		alert("You must agree to our Affiliate Agreement.");
		f.aff_agreement.focus();
		return false;
	}
	
	return true; //confirmSignupWindow(f);
}