function throwError(message)
{
    $("#dialog-error").html(message);
    $(function(){
      // a workaround for a flaw in the demo system (http://dev.jqueryui.com/ticket/4375), ignore!
      $("#dialog").dialog("destroy");
      $("#dialog-error").dialog({
        resizable: false,
        draggable: false,
        height: 300,
        width: 440,
        modal: true,
        buttons: {
          'OK': function() {
            $("#dialog-error").dialog('close');
          }
        }
      });
    });
}

function showLoading()
{
  $.blockUI({
      theme:     true,
      title:    'Submitting Request',
      message:  '<p><img src="/images/ajax-loader.gif" /> Please Wait</p>',
      timeout:   32000
  });
}

function hideLoading()
{
  $(document).ajaxStop($.unblockUI);
}