function alert(str) {
    new Ajax.Request('process.alert.php?type=alert&msg='+str, {
      method: 'get',
      parameters: { alert_string : str }
    });    
}

function confirm(str) {
    new Ajax.Request('process.alert.php?type=confirm&msg='+str, {
      method: 'post',
      parameters: {alert_string:str}
    });    
    return null;
}