var browser=navigator.appName
var b_version=navigator.appVersion
var version=parseFloat(b_version)
	
function getInternetExplorerVersion()
// Returns the version of Internet Explorer or a -1
// (indicating the use of another browser).
{
  var rv = false; // Return value assumes failure.
  if (navigator.appName == 'Microsoft Internet Explorer')
  {
    var ua = navigator.userAgent;
    var re  = new RegExp("MSIE ([0-9]{1,}[\.0-9]{0,})");
    if (re.exec(ua) != null)
      rv = parseFloat( RegExp.$1 );
    if (rv <= 6) {
       //set rv true if IE version less than or equal 6
       rv = true;
    }
    else {
       rv = false;
    }
  }
  
  //return ie version to use in different link drawing methods
  return rv;
}