/*
 * Returns a new XMLHttpRequest object, or false if this browser
 * doesn't support it
 */
function newXMLHttpRequest() {

  var xmlreq = false;

  if (window.XMLHttpRequest) {

    // Create XMLHttpRequest object in non-Microsoft browsers
    xmlreq = new XMLHttpRequest();

  } else if (window.ActiveXObject) {

    // Create XMLHttpRequest via MS ActiveX
    try {
      // Try to create XMLHttpRequest in later versions
      // of Internet Explorer

      xmlreq = new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP");

    } catch (e1) {

      // Failed to create required ActiveXObject

      try {
        // Try version supported by older versions
        // of Internet Explorer

        xmlreq = new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP");

      } catch (e2) {

        // Unable to create an XMLHttpRequest with ActiveX
      }
    }
  }

  return xmlreq;
}