function gatekey_validation(the_form) {
	var why = '';
	var email_reg = /[_a-zA-Z0-9.-]+@[_a-zA-Z0-9.-]+[.][_a-zA-Z0-9.-][_a-zA-Z0-9.-]+/;
	var res = email_reg.test(the_form.username.value);
	if (!res) {
		why += 'Please enter a valid email address.\n';
	}
	if (the_form.password.value == '') {
		why += 'Please enter a password.\n';
	}
	if (why != '') {
		alert(why);
		return false;
	} else {
		return true;
	}
}