function showFlash(element){
  if(element.innerHTML.length > 0) {
    element.setStyle({zIndex: 1});
    new Effect.Appear(element, {from: 0, to: 0.8});
  }
};
  
function hideFlash(element){
  if(element.innerHTML.length > 0) {
    new Effect.Fade(element, {to: 0,
      complete: function (){element.setStyle({zIndex: -1});}
    });
  }
};

new Event.observe(window,'load',function(){
   setTimeout(function(){
       showFlash($('notice'));
       showFlash($('error'));
   },100);

   setTimeout(function(){
       hideFlash($('notice'));
       hideFlash($('error'));
   },5000);
});

var contest_error = function(error){
  $('error').innerHTML = error;
  showFlash($('error'));
  setTimeout("hideFlash($('error'))", 5000);
  return true;
};

var contest_notice = function(notice){
  $('notice').innerHTML = notice;
  showFlash($('notice'));
  setTimeout("hideFlash($('notice'))", 5000);
  return true;
}