var FormUtils = {
	clearForm: function(form){
	
		// iterate over all of the inputs for the form
		// element that was passed in
		$(':input', form).each(function() {
			var type = this.type;
			var tag = this.tagName.toLowerCase(); // normalize case
			
			// it's ok to reset the value attr of text inputs,
			// password inputs, and textareas
			if (type == 'text' || type == 'password' || tag == 'textarea') {
			  this.value = "";
			}
			
			// checkboxes and radios need to have their checked state cleared
			// but should *not* have their 'value' changed
			else if (type == 'checkbox' || type == 'radio') {
				this.checked = false;
			}
			// select elements need to have their 'selectedIndex' property set to -1
			// (this works for both single and multiple select elements)
			else if (tag == 'select') {
				this.selectedIndex = -1;
			}
		});
	}
}