function open_list() {
    var container;
    var bottom;
    var items;
    var current_item;
    var height;
    var top;
    var ie6 = navigator.appVersion.toLowerCase().indexOf("msie 6.") > 0; 
    var content;
    
    items =  $$('.language');
    current_item = $$('.current_language');
    container = document.getElementById('language_container');
    bottom = document.getElementById('bottom_picture'); 
    top = document.getElementById('first_language');
    content = document.getElementById('language_content');
    
    // if the list is not open, open it
    if (content.style.display == 'none') {
         Effect.BlindDown('language_content', { duration: 0.25 });
         bottom.style.display = "block";
         if (!ie6) {
        
         }
         container.style.backgroundPosition = "center bottom";
    }
    // if the list is open
    else {
        Effect.BlindUp('language_content', { duration: 0.25} );
        setTimeout("hide_content()",250);
    }

}

function hide_content() {
    var container;
    var bottom;
    var top;
    var ie6 = navigator.appVersion.toLowerCase().indexOf("msie 6.") > 0;
    
    container = document.getElementById('language_container');
    bottom = document.getElementById('bottom_picture'); 
    top = document.getElementById('first_language');
    
    bottom.style.display = "none";
    top.style.background = "none";
    if (!ie6) {
    container.style.background = 'url(templates/zermatt-event-management/img/bg_language_standard.png) no-repeat center top transparent';
    }
}