// this function returns the x, y position works in IE and Mozilla.
function getElementPosition(element){
	var x = 0;
	var y = 0;
	while(element != null){
		x += element.offsetLeft - element.scrollLeft;
		y += element.offsetTop - element.scrollTop;
		element = element.offsetParent;
	}
	return {x:x, y:y};
}

function getElementPosition(element, baseElement){
	var x = 0;
	var y = 0;
	while(element != null && element != baseElement){
		x += element.offsetLeft - element.scrollLeft;
		y += element.offsetTop - element.scrollTop;
		element = element.offsetParent;
	}
	return {x:x, y:y};
}

// Browser compatible element getter
function getElement(id){
	if (document.all)
		return document.all[id];
	if (document.getElementById(id))
		return document.getElementById(id);
	return null;
}

// generic display function
function findElement(id){
	// Get the element by its id
	element = getElement(id);
	// make sure that the element was found
	if (! element)
		return;
	// get the object that will contain the x,y coordinates
	position = getElementPosition(element);
	// display the coordinates
	alert('x: ' + position.x + '\n\ny: ' + position.y);
}