function unix_time() {
	var now = new Date();
	return parseInt(now.getTime().toString().substring(0,10));
} 

// Shorthand for getElementsById
function $e(element) {
  if (arguments.length > 1) {
    for (var i = 0, elements = [], length = arguments.length; i < length; i++)
      elements.push($(arguments[i]));
    return elements;
  }
  if (typeof(element) == "string")
    element = document.getElementById(element);
  return element;
}


// Extending the element object
Element.prototype.removeChildren = function() {
	if(this.hasChildNodes()) {
		while(this.childNodes.length >= 1 ) {
			this.removeChild(this.firstChild);
		}
	}
}

Element.prototype.update = function(content) {
	if (typeof content == "string") {
		this.innerHTML = content;
	} else if (typeof content == "object") {
		this.removeChildren();
		this.appendChild(content);
	}	
	return this;
}