//Initiates an XMLHttpRequest

function getNewXMLHttpRequest() {
  var obj;
    try {
      // For Internet Explorer.
      obj = new ActiveXObject('Microsoft.XMLHTTP');
    }
    catch(e) {
      try {
        // Gecko-based browsers, Safari, and Opera.
        obj = new XMLHttpRequest();
      }
      catch (e) {
        // Browser supports Javascript but not XMLHttpRequest.
        obj = false;
      }
    }
    return obj;
}