diff --git a/feedlist.js b/feedlist.js
index 034900619..3634b87d7 100644
--- a/feedlist.js
+++ b/feedlist.js
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ function printFeedEntry(id, title, row_class, unread, icon) {
 function render_feedlist(data) {
 	try {
 
-		var f = document.getElementById("feeds-frame");
+		var f = $("feeds-frame");
 		f.innerHTML = data;
 //		cache_invalidate("FEEDLIST");
 //		cache_inject("FEEDLIST", data, getInitParam("num_feeds"));
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ function viewfeed(feed, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, offset) {
 		var query = "backend.php?op=viewfeed&feed=" + feed + "&" +
 			toolbar_query + "&subop=" + param_escape(subop);
 
-		if (document.getElementById("search_form")) {
+		if ($("search_form")) {
 			var search_query = Form.serialize("search_form");
 			query = query + "&" + search_query;
 			closeInfoBox(true);
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ function viewfeed(feed, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, offset) {
 
 				if (!activeFeedIsCat()) {
 	
-					var feedlist = document.getElementById('feedList');
+					var feedlist = $('feedList');
 				
 					var next_unread_feed = getRelativeFeedId(feedlist,
 							feed, "next", true);
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ function viewfeed(feed, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, offset) {
 
 		debug(query);
 
-		var container = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var container = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 /*		if (container && page_offset == 0 && !isCdmMode()) {
 			new Effect.Fade(container, {duration: 1, to: 0.01,
@@ -288,19 +288,19 @@ function viewfeed(feed, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, offset) {
 		}
 
 		if (cache_check) {
-			var f = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
+			var f = $("headlines-frame");
 
 			clean_feed_selections();
 
 			setActiveFeedId(feed, is_cat);
 		
 			if (!is_cat) {
-				var feedr = document.getElementById("FEEDR-" + feed);
+				var feedr = $("FEEDR-" + feed);
 				if (feedr && !feedr.className.match("Selected")) {	
 					feedr.className = feedr.className + "Selected";
 				} 
 			} else {
-				var feedr = document.getElementById("FCAT-" + feed_id);
+				var feedr = $("FCAT-" + feed_id);
 				if (feedr && !feedr.className.match("Selected")) {	
 					feedr.className = feedr.className + "Selected";
 				} 
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ function toggleCollapseCat_af(effect) {
 
 		var elem = effect.element;
 		var cat = elem.id.replace("FCATLIST-", "");
-		var cap = document.getElementById("FCAP-" + cat);
+		var cap = $("FCAP-" + cat);
 
 		if (Element.visible(elem)) {
 			cap.innerHTML = cap.innerHTML.replace("…", "");
@@ -353,9 +353,9 @@ function toggleCollapseCat_af(effect) {
 function toggleCollapseCat(cat) {
 	try {
 	
-		var cat_elem = document.getElementById("FCAT-" + cat);
-		var cat_list = document.getElementById("FCATLIST-" + cat).parentNode;
-		var caption = document.getElementById("FCAP-" + cat);
+		var cat_elem = $("FCAT-" + cat);
+		var cat_list = $("FCATLIST-" + cat).parentNode;
+		var caption = $("FCAP-" + cat);
 		
 /*		if (cat_list.className.match("invisible")) {
 			cat_list.className = "";
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ function toggleCollapseCat(cat) {
 
 function feedlist_dragsorted(ctr) {
 	try {
-		var elem = document.getElementById("feedList");
+		var elem = $("feedList");
 
 		var cats = elem.getElementsByTagName("LI");
 		var ordered_cats = new Array();
@@ -485,19 +485,19 @@ function feedlist_init() {
 
 function hide_footer_af(effect) {
 	try {
-		var c = document.getElementById("content-frame");
+		var c = $("content-frame");
 
 		if (c) {
 			c.style.bottom = "0px";
 
-			var ioa = document.getElementById("inline_orig_article");
+			var ioa = $("inline_orig_article");
 
 			if (ioa) {
 				ioa.height = c.offsetHeight;
 			}
 
 		} else {
-			var h = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
+			var h = $("headlines-frame");
 
 			if (h) {
 				h.style.bottom = "0px";
@@ -526,14 +526,14 @@ function init_hidden_feedlist(theme) {
 
 		if (theme != "" && theme != "compact") return;
 
-		var fl = document.getElementById("feeds-holder");
-		var fh = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
-		var fc = document.getElementById("content-frame");
-		var ft = document.getElementById("toolbar");
-		var ff = document.getElementById("footer");
-		var fhdr = document.getElementById("header");
+		var fl = $("feeds-holder");
+		var fh = $("headlines-frame");
+		var fc = $("content-frame");
+		var ft = $("toolbar");
+		var ff = $("footer");
+		var fhdr = $("header");
 
-		var fbtn = document.getElementById("toggle_feeds_btn");
+		var fbtn = $("toggle_feeds_btn");
 
 		if (fbtn) Element.show(fbtn);
 
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ function init_collapsable_feedlist(theme) {
 		if (theme != "" && theme != "compact" && theme != "graycube" &&
 				theme != "compat") return;
 
-		var fbtn = document.getElementById("collapse_feeds_btn");
+		var fbtn = $("collapse_feeds_btn");
 
 		if (fbtn) Element.show(fbtn);
 
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@ function mouse_up_handler(e) {
 
 		if (!selection_disabled) {
 			document.onselectstart = null;
-			var e = document.getElementById("headlineActionsBody");
+			var e = $("headlineActionsBody");
 			if (e) Element.hide(e);
 		}
 
diff --git a/functions.js b/functions.js
index ff6075f11..e83952357 100644
--- a/functions.js
+++ b/functions.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ function exception_error(location, e, ext_info) {
 
 	try {
 
-		var ebc = document.getElementById("xebContent");
+		var ebc = $("xebContent");
 	
 		if (ebc) {
 	
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ function open_article_callback(transport) {
 
 				if (id) {
 					id = id.firstChild.nodeValue;
-					if (!document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+					if (!$("headlinesList")) {
 						window.setTimeout("toggleUnread(" + id + ", 0)", 100);
 					}
 				}
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ function delay(gap) {
 var notify_hide_timerid = false;
 
 function hide_notify() {
-	var n = document.getElementById("notify");
+	var n = $("notify");
 	if (n) {
 		n.style.display = "none";
 	}
@@ -165,8 +165,8 @@ function notify_real(msg, no_hide, n_type) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	var n = document.getElementById("notify");
-	var nb = document.getElementById("notify_body");
+	var n = $("notify");
+	var nb = $("notify_body");
 
 	if (!n || !nb) return;
 
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ function printLockingError() {
 }
 
 function cleanSelected(element) {
-	var content = document.getElementById(element);
+	var content = $(element);
 
 	for (i = 0; i < content.rows.length; i++) {
 		content.rows[i].className = content.rows[i].className.replace("Selected", "");
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ function cleanSelected(element) {
 }
 
 function getVisibleUnreadHeadlines() {
-	var content = document.getElementById("headlinesList");
+	var content = $("headlinesList");
 
 	var rows = new Array();
 
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ function getVisibleUnreadHeadlines() {
 
 function getVisibleHeadlineIds() {
 
-	var content = document.getElementById("headlinesList");
+	var content = $("headlinesList");
 
 	var rows = new Array();
 
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ function getLastVisibleHeadlineId() {
 }
 
 function markHeadline(id) {
-	var row = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+	var row = $("RROW-" + id);
 	if (row) {
 		var is_active = false;
 	
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ function markHeadline(id) {
 			row.className = row.className = "Active";
 		}
 		
-		var check = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + id);
+		var check = $("RCHK-" + id);
 
 		if (check) {
 			check.checked = true;
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ function markHeadline(id) {
 }
 
 function getFeedIds() {
-	var content = document.getElementById("feedsList");
+	var content = $("feedsList");
 
 	var rows = new Array();
 
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ function disableContainerChildren(id, disable, doc) {
 
 	if (!doc) doc = document;
 
-	var container = doc.getElementById(id);
+	var container = $(id);
 
 	if (!container) {
 		//alert("disableContainerChildren: element " + id + " not found");
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ function parse_counters(reply, scheduled_call) {
 			}
 	
 			if (t == "category") {
-				var catctr = document.getElementById("FCATCTR-" + id);
+				var catctr = $("FCATCTR-" + id);
 				if (catctr) {
 					catctr.innerHTML = "(" + ctr + ")";
 					if (ctr > 0) {
@@ -481,12 +481,12 @@ function parse_counters(reply, scheduled_call) {
 				continue;
 			}
 		
-			var feedctr = document.getElementById("FEEDCTR-" + id);
-			var feedu = document.getElementById("FEEDU-" + id);
-			var feedr = document.getElementById("FEEDR-" + id);
-			var feed_img = document.getElementById("FIMG-" + id);
-			var feedlink = document.getElementById("FEEDL-" + id);
-			var feedupd = document.getElementById("FLUPD-" + id);
+			var feedctr = $("FEEDCTR-" + id);
+			var feedu = $("FEEDU-" + id);
+			var feedr = $("FEEDR-" + id);
+			var feed_img = $("FIMG-" + id);
+			var feedlink = $("FEEDL-" + id);
+			var feedupd = $("FLUPD-" + id);
 
 			if (updated && feedlink) {
 				if (error) {
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ function parse_counters(reply, scheduled_call) {
 				setTimeout('updateFeedList(false, false)', 50);
 			}
 		} else {
-/*			var fl = document.getElementById("feeds-frame").innerHTML;
+/*			var fl = $("feeds-frame").innerHTML;
 			if (fl) {
 				cache_invalidate("FEEDLIST");
 				cache_inject("FEEDLIST", fl, getInitParam("num_feeds"));
@@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ function all_counters_callback2(transport, async_call) {
 
 function get_feed_unread(id) {
 	try {
-		return parseInt(document.getElementById("FEEDU-" + id).innerHTML);	
+		return parseInt($("FEEDU-" + id).innerHTML);	
 	} catch (e) {
 		return -1;
 	}
@@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ function get_feed_unread(id) {
 
 function get_cat_unread(id) {
 	try {
-		var ctr = document.getElementById("FCATCTR-" + id).innerHTML;
+		var ctr = $("FCATCTR-" + id).innerHTML;
 		ctr = ctr.replace("(", "");
 		ctr = ctr.replace(")", "");
 		return parseInt(ctr);
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ function get_feed_entry_unread(elem) {
 	}
 
 	try {
-		return parseInt(document.getElementById("FEEDU-" + id).innerHTML);	
+		return parseInt($("FEEDU-" + id).innerHTML);	
 	} catch (e) {
 		return -1;
 	}
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ function resort_category(node) {
 function resort_feedlist() {
 	debug("resort_feedlist");
 
-	if (document.getElementById("FCATLIST--1")) {
+	if ($("FCATLIST--1")) {
 
 		var lists = document.getElementsByTagName("UL");
 
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ function resort_feedlist() {
 		}
 
 	} else {
-		resort_category(document.getElementById("feedList"));
+		resort_category($("feedList"));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -774,7 +774,7 @@ function hideOrShowFeeds(hide) {
 
 	debug("hideOrShowFeeds: " + hide);
 
-	if (document.getElementById("FCATLIST--1")) {
+	if ($("FCATLIST--1")) {
 
 		var lists = document.getElementsByTagName("UL");
 
@@ -803,10 +803,10 @@ function hideOrShowFeedsCategory(id, hide) {
 		var cat_node = null;
 
 		if (id) {
-			node = document.getElementById("FCATLIST-" + id);
-			cat_node = document.getElementById("FCAT-" + id);
+			node = $("FCATLIST-" + id);
+			cat_node = $("FCAT-" + id);
 		} else {
-			node = document.getElementById("feedList"); // no categories
+			node = $("feedList"); // no categories
 		}
 
 	//	debug("hideOrShowFeedsCategory: " + node + " (" + hide + ")");
@@ -902,13 +902,13 @@ function selectTableRowById(elem_id, check_id, do_select) {
 
 	try {
 
-		var row = document.getElementById(elem_id);
+		var row = $(elem_id);
 
 		if (row) {
 			selectTableRow(row, do_select);
 		}		
 
-		var check = document.getElementById(check_id);
+		var check = $(check_id);
 
 		if (check) {
 			check.checked = do_select;
@@ -921,7 +921,7 @@ function selectTableRowById(elem_id, check_id, do_select) {
 function selectTableRowsByIdPrefix(content_id, prefix, check_prefix, do_select, 
 	classcheck, reset_others) {
 
-	var content = document.getElementById(content_id);
+	var content = $(content_id);
 
 	if (!content) {
 		alert("[selectTableRows] Element " + content_id + " not found.");
@@ -936,7 +936,7 @@ function selectTableRowsByIdPrefix(content_id, prefix, check_prefix, do_select,
 					selectTableRow(content.rows[i], do_select);
 				
 					var row_id = content.rows[i].id.replace(prefix, "");
-					var check = document.getElementById(check_prefix + row_id);
+					var check = $(check_prefix + row_id);
 	
 					if (check) {
 						check.checked = do_select;
@@ -945,7 +945,7 @@ function selectTableRowsByIdPrefix(content_id, prefix, check_prefix, do_select,
 					selectTableRow(content.rows[i], false);
 	
 					var row_id = content.rows[i].id.replace(prefix, "");
-					var check = document.getElementById(check_prefix + row_id);
+					var check = $(check_prefix + row_id);
 	
 					if (check) {
 						check.checked = false;
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ function selectTableRowsByIdPrefix(content_id, prefix, check_prefix, do_select,
 				selectTableRow(content.rows[i], false);
 	
 				var row_id = content.rows[i].id.replace(prefix, "");
-				var check = document.getElementById(check_prefix + row_id);
+				var check = $(check_prefix + row_id);
 	
 				if (check) {
 					check.checked = false;
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@ function selectTableRowsByIdPrefix(content_id, prefix, check_prefix, do_select,
 
 function getSelectedTableRowIds(content_id, prefix) {
 
-	var content = document.getElementById(content_id);
+	var content = $(content_id);
 
 	if (!content) {
 		alert("[getSelectedTableRowIds] Element " + content_id + " not found.");
@@ -992,7 +992,7 @@ function getSelectedTableRowIds(content_id, prefix) {
 }
 
 function toggleSelectRowById(sender, id) {
-	var row = document.getElementById(id);
+	var row = $(id);
 
 	if (sender.checked) {
 		if (!row.className.match("Selected")) {
@@ -1039,7 +1039,7 @@ function toggleSelectRow(sender) {
 
 function getNextUnreadCat(id) {
 	try {
-		var rows = document.getElementById("feedList").getElementsByTagName("LI");
+		var rows = $("feedList").getElementsByTagName("LI");
 		var feeds = new Array();
 
 		var unread_only = true;
@@ -1077,7 +1077,7 @@ function getRelativeFeedId2(id, is_cat, direction, unread_only) {
 
 //		alert(id + " IC: " + is_cat + " D: " + direction + " U: " + unread_only);
 
-		var rows = document.getElementById("feedList").getElementsByTagName("LI");
+		var rows = $("feedList").getElementsByTagName("LI");
 		var feeds = new Array();
 	
 		for (var i = 0; i < rows.length; i++) {
@@ -1185,13 +1185,13 @@ function getRelativeFeedId(list, id, direction, unread_only) {
 }
 
 function showBlockElement(id, h_id) {
-	var elem = document.getElementById(id);
+	var elem = $(id);
 
 	if (elem) {
 		elem.style.display = "block";
 
 		if (h_id) {
-			elem = document.getElementById(h_id);
+			elem = $(h_id);
 			if (elem) {
 				elem.style.display = "none";
 			}
@@ -1286,8 +1286,8 @@ function closeInfoBox(cleanup) {
 	if (Element.visible("infoBoxShadow")) {
 		Element.hide("dialog_overlay");
 	
-		var shadow = document.getElementById('infoBoxShadow');
-		var box = document.getElementById('infoBoxShadow');
+		var shadow = $('infoBoxShadow');
+		var box = $('infoBoxShadow');
 
 		Element.hide(shadow);
 
@@ -1341,8 +1341,8 @@ function infobox_callback2(transport) {
 			Element.show("dialog_overlay");
 		}
 
-		var box = document.getElementById('infoBox');
-		var shadow = document.getElementById('infoBoxShadow');
+		var box = $('infoBox');
+		var shadow = $('infoBoxShadow');
 		if (box) {			
 
 			box.innerHTML=transport.responseText;			
@@ -1355,7 +1355,7 @@ function infobox_callback2(transport) {
 
 		/* FIXME this needs to be moved out somewhere */
 
-		if (document.getElementById("tags_choices")) {
+		if ($("tags_choices")) {
 			new Ajax.Autocompleter('tags_str', 'tags_choices',
 				"backend.php?op=rpc&subop=completeTags",
 				{ tokens: ',', paramName: "search" });
@@ -1402,7 +1402,7 @@ function createFilter() {
 
 function toggleSubmitNotEmpty(e, submit_id) {
 	try {
-		document.getElementById(submit_id).disabled = (e.value == "")
+		$(submit_id).disabled = (e.value == "")
 	} catch (e) {
 		exception_error("toggleSubmitNotEmpty", e);
 	}
@@ -1474,7 +1474,7 @@ function debug(msg) {
 		debug_last_class = "even";
 	}
 
-	var c = document.getElementById('debug_output');
+	var c = $('debug_output');
 	if (c && Element.visible(c)) {
 		while (c.lastChild != 'undefined' && c.childNodes.length > 100) {
 			c.removeChild(c.lastChild);
@@ -1510,7 +1510,7 @@ function fatalError(code, msg, ext_info) {
 	
 			if (msg == "") msg = "Unknown error";
 
-			var ebc = document.getElementById("xebContent");
+			var ebc = $("xebContent");
 	
 			if (ebc) {
 	
@@ -1541,9 +1541,9 @@ function getFeedName(id, is_cat) {
 	var e;
 
 	if (is_cat) {
-		e = document.getElementById("FCATN-" + id);
+		e = $("FCATN-" + id);
 	} else {
-		e = document.getElementById("FEEDN-" + id);
+		e = $("FEEDN-" + id);
 	}
 	if (e) {
 		return e.innerHTML.stripTags();
@@ -1602,7 +1602,7 @@ function filterDlgCheckAction(sender) {
 			return;
 		}
 
-		var action_param = document.getElementById("filter_dlg_param_box");
+		var action_param = $("filter_dlg_param_box");
 
 		if (!action_param) {
 			debug("filterDlgCheckAction: can't find action param box!");
@@ -1690,7 +1690,7 @@ function getRelativePostIds(id, limit) {
 	debug("getRelativePostIds: " + id + " limit=" + limit);
 
 	var ids = new Array();
-	var container = document.getElementById("headlinesList");
+	var container = $("headlinesList");
 
 	if (container) {
 		var rows = container.rows;
@@ -1773,7 +1773,7 @@ Position.Center = function(element, parent) {
 
 function labeltest_callback(transport) {
 	try {
-		var container = document.getElementById('label_test_result');
+		var container = $('label_test_result');
 	
 		container.innerHTML = transport.responseText;
 		if (!Element.visible(container)) {
@@ -1789,7 +1789,7 @@ function labeltest_callback(transport) {
 function labelTest() {
 
 	try {
-		var container = document.getElementById('label_test_result');
+		var container = $('label_test_result');
 	
 		var form = document.forms['label_edit_form'];
 	
@@ -1814,7 +1814,7 @@ function labelTest() {
 }
 
 function isCdmMode() {
-	return !document.getElementById("headlinesList");
+	return !$("headlinesList");
 }
 
 function getSelectedArticleIds2() {
@@ -1830,7 +1830,7 @@ function getSelectedArticleIds2() {
 	var ids = new Array();
 
 	for (var i = 0; i < rows.length; i++) {
-		var chk = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + rows[i]);
+		var chk = $("RCHK-" + rows[i]);
 		if (chk && chk.checked) {
 			ids.push(rows[i]);
 		}
@@ -1850,7 +1850,7 @@ function displayHelpInfobox(topic_id) {
 
 function focus_element(id) {
 	try {
-		var e = document.getElementById(id);
+		var e = $(id);
 		if (e) e.focus();
 	} catch (e) {
 		exception_error("focus_element", e);
@@ -1864,7 +1864,7 @@ function loading_set_progress(p) {
 
 		debug("<b>loading_set_progress : " + p + " (" + last_progress_point + ")</b>");
 
-		var o = document.getElementById("l_progress_i");
+		var o = $("l_progress_i");
 
 //		o.style.width = (p * 2) + "px";
 
@@ -2011,8 +2011,8 @@ function labelFieldsCheck(elem) {
 
 function getSelectedFeedsFromBrowser() {
 
-	var list = document.getElementById("browseFeedList");
-	if (!list) list = document.getElementById("browseBigFeedList");
+	var list = $("browseFeedList");
+	if (!list) list = $("browseBigFeedList");
 
 	var selected = new Array();
 	
@@ -2021,7 +2021,7 @@ function getSelectedFeedsFromBrowser() {
 		if (child.id && child.id.match("FBROW-")) {
 			var id = child.id.replace("FBROW-", "");
 			
-			var cb = document.getElementById("FBCHK-" + id);
+			var cb = $("FBCHK-" + id);
 
 			if (cb.checked) {
 				selected.push(id);
@@ -2037,8 +2037,8 @@ function updateFeedBrowser() {
 
 		var query = "backend.php?op=rpc&subop=feedBrowser";
 
-		var search = document.getElementById("feed_browser_search");
-		var limit = document.getElementById("feed_browser_limit");
+		var search = $("feed_browser_search");
+		var limit = $("feed_browser_limit");
 
 		if (limit) {
 			query = query + "&limit=" + limit[limit.selectedIndex].value;
@@ -2054,10 +2054,10 @@ function updateFeedBrowser() {
 			onComplete: function(transport) { 
 				notify('');
 
-				var c = document.getElementById("browseFeedList");
+				var c = $("browseFeedList");
 				var r = transport.responseXML.getElementsByTagName("content")[0];
 				var nr = transport.responseXML.getElementsByTagName("num-results")[0];
-				var sb = document.getElementById("feed_browser_subscribe");
+				var sb = $("feed_browser_subscribe");
 
 				if (c && r) {
 					c.innerHTML = r.firstChild.nodeValue;
diff --git a/offline.js b/offline.js
index 2fc820941..cced40943 100644
--- a/offline.js
+++ b/offline.js
@@ -92,12 +92,12 @@ function viewfeed_offline(feed_id, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, off
 		setActiveFeedId(feed_id, is_cat);
 
 		if (!is_cat) {
-			var feedr = document.getElementById("FEEDR-" + feed_id);
+			var feedr = $("FEEDR-" + feed_id);
 			if (feedr && !feedr.className.match("Selected")) {	
 				feedr.className = feedr.className + "Selected";
 			} 
 		} else {
-			var feedr = document.getElementById("FCAT-" + feed_id);
+			var feedr = $("FCAT-" + feed_id);
 			if (feedr && !feedr.className.match("Selected")) {	
 				feedr.className = feedr.className + "Selected";
 			} 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ function viewfeed_offline(feed_id, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, off
 		disableContainerChildren("headlinesToolbar", false);
 		Form.enable("main_toolbar_form");
 
-		var f = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
+		var f = $("headlines-frame");
 		try {
 			if (reply.offset == 0) { 
 				debug("resetting headlines scrollTop");
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ function viewfeed_offline(feed_id, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, off
 				var sel_none_link;
 				var sel_inv_link;
 
-				if (document.getElementById("content-frame")) {
+				if ($("content-frame")) {
 					sel_all_link = "javascript:selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', true, '', true)";
 					sel_unread_link = "javascript:selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', true, 'Unread', true)";
 					sel_none_link = "javascript:selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', false)";
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ function viewfeed_offline(feed_id, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, off
 				tmp += "</div>";
 	
 				tmp += "<div id=\"headlinesInnerContainer\" onscroll=\"headlines_scroll_handler()\">";
-				if (document.getElementById("content-frame")) {
+				if ($("content-frame")) {
 					tmp += "<table class=\"headlinesList\" id=\"headlinesList\" cellspacing=\"0\">";
 				}
 			
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ function viewfeed_offline(feed_id, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, off
 				var content_preview = truncate_string(strip_tags(rs.fieldByName("content")), 
 						100);
 	
-				if (document.getElementById("content-frame")) {
+				if ($("content-frame")) {
 
 					tmp += "<tr class='"+row_class+"' id='RROW-"+id+"' "+mouseover_attrs+">";
 					
@@ -413,12 +413,12 @@ function viewfeed_offline(feed_id, subop, is_cat, subop_param, skip_history, off
 			}
 	
 			if (offset == 0) {
-				var container = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
+				var container = $("headlines-frame");
 				container.innerHTML = tmp;
 			} else {
 				var ids = getSelectedArticleIds2();
 		
-				var container = document.getElementById("headlinesList");
+				var container = $("headlinesList");
 				container.innerHTML = container.innerHTML + tmp;
 	
 				for (var i = 0; i < ids.length; i++) {
@@ -571,10 +571,10 @@ function init_offline() {
 		Element.hide("topLinksOnline");
 		Element.show("topLinksOffline");
 
-		var tb_form = document.getElementById("main_toolbar_form");
+		var tb_form = $("main_toolbar_form");
 		Element.hide(tb_form.update);
 
-		var chooser = document.getElementById("quickMenuChooser");
+		var chooser = $("quickMenuChooser");
 		chooser.disabled = true;
 
 		var rs = db.execute("SELECT key, value FROM init_params");
@@ -792,12 +792,12 @@ function update_offline_data(stage) {
 function set_feedlist_counter(id, ctr, is_cat) {
 	try {
 
-		var feedctr = document.getElementById("FEEDCTR-" + id);
-		var feedu = document.getElementById("FEEDU-" + id);
-		var feedr = document.getElementById("FEEDR-" + id);
+		var feedctr = $("FEEDCTR-" + id);
+		var feedu = $("FEEDU-" + id);
+		var feedr = $("FEEDR-" + id);
 
 		if (is_cat) {
-			var catctr = document.getElementById("FCATCTR-" + id);
+			var catctr = $("FCATCTR-" + id);
 			if (catctr) {
 				catctr.innerHTML = "(" + ctr + ")";
 				if (ctr > 0) {
diff --git a/prefs.js b/prefs.js
index 3a43851df..fc7d1db36 100644
--- a/prefs.js
+++ b/prefs.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ var mouse_is_down = false;
 
 function replace_pubkey_callback(transport) {
 	try {	
-		var link = document.getElementById("pubGenAddress");
+		var link = $("pubGenAddress");
 
 		if (transport.responseXML) {
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ function feedlist_callback2(transport) {
 
 	try {	
 
-		var container = document.getElementById('prefContent');	
+		var container = $('prefContent');	
 		container.innerHTML=transport.responseText;
 		selectTab("feedConfig", true);
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ function dlg_frefresh_callback(transport) {
 }
 
 function filterlist_callback2(transport) {
-	var container = document.getElementById('prefContent');
+	var container = $('prefContent');
 	container.innerHTML=transport.responseText;
 	if (typeof correctPNG != 'undefined') {
 		correctPNG();
@@ -83,8 +83,8 @@ function filterlist_callback2(transport) {
 
 function init_label_inline_editor() {
 	try {
-		if (document.getElementById("prefLabelList")) {
-			var elems = document.getElementById("prefLabelList").getElementsByTagName("SPAN");
+		if ($("prefLabelList")) {
+			var elems = $("prefLabelList").getElementsByTagName("SPAN");
 
 			for (var i = 0; i < elems.length; i++) {
 				if (elems[i].id && elems[i].id.match("LILT-")) {
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ function labellist_callback2(transport) {
 
 	try {
 
-		var container = document.getElementById('prefContent');
+		var container = $('prefContent');
 			closeInfoBox();
 			container.innerHTML=transport.responseText;
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ function labellist_callback2(transport) {
 
 function userlist_callback2(transport) {
 	try {
-		var container = document.getElementById('prefContent');
+		var container = $('prefContent');
 		if (transport.readyState == 4) {
 			container.innerHTML=transport.responseText;
 			notify("");
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ function userlist_callback2(transport) {
 
 function prefslist_callback2(transport) {
 	try {
-		var container = document.getElementById('prefContent');
+		var container = $('prefContent');
 		container.innerHTML=transport.responseText;
 		notify("");
 		remove_splash();
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ function changepass_callback2(transport) {
 				notify_error(transport.responseText.replace("ERROR: ", ""));
 			} else {
 				notify_info(transport.responseText);
-				var warn = document.getElementById("default_pass_warning");
+				var warn = $("default_pass_warning");
 				if (warn) warn.style.display = "none";
 			}
 	
@@ -184,8 +184,8 @@ function changepass_callback2(transport) {
 function init_cat_inline_editor() {
 	try {
 
-		if (document.getElementById("prefFeedCatList")) {
-			var elems = document.getElementById("prefFeedCatList").getElementsByTagName("SPAN");
+		if ($("prefFeedCatList")) {
+			var elems = $("prefFeedCatList").getElementsByTagName("SPAN");
 
 			for (var i = 0; i < elems.length; i++) {
 				if (elems[i].id && elems[i].id.match("FCATT-")) {
@@ -214,11 +214,11 @@ function updateFeedList(sort_key) {
 
 	try {
 
-	var feed_search = document.getElementById("feed_search");
+	var feed_search = $("feed_search");
 	var search = "";
 	if (feed_search) { search = feed_search.value; }
 
-	var slat = document.getElementById("show_last_article_times");
+	var slat = $("show_last_article_times");
 
 	var slat_checked = false;
 	if (slat) {
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ function updateUsersList(sort_key) {
 
 	try {
 
-		var user_search = document.getElementById("user_search");
+		var user_search = $("user_search");
 		var search = "";
 		if (user_search) { search = user_search.value; }
 	
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ function addFeed() {
 
 	try {
 
-		var link = document.getElementById("fadd_link");
+		var link = $("fadd_link");
 	
 		if (link.value.length == 0) {
 			alert(__("Error: No feed URL given."));
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ function addFeed() {
 
 function addFeedCat() {
 
-	var cat = document.getElementById("fadd_cat");
+	var cat = $("fadd_cat");
 
 	if (cat.value.length == 0) {
 		alert(__("Can't add category: no name specified."));
@@ -695,8 +695,8 @@ function removeSelectedFeedCats() {
 function feedEditCancel() {
 
 	try {
-		document.getElementById("subscribe_to_feed_btn").disabled = false;
-		document.getElementById("top25_feeds_btn").disabled = false;
+		$("subscribe_to_feed_btn").disabled = false;
+		$("top25_feeds_btn").disabled = false;
 	} catch (e) {
 		// this button is not always available, no-op if not found
 	}
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ function userEditCancel() {
 function filterEditCancel() {
 
 	try {
-		document.getElementById("create_filter_btn").disabled = false;
+		$("create_filter_btn").disabled = false;
 		selectPrefRows('filter', false); // cleanup feed selection
 	} catch (e) { }
 
@@ -795,7 +795,7 @@ function filterEditSave() {
 	
 		closeInfoBox();
 	
-		document.getElementById("create_filter_btn").disabled = false;
+		$("create_filter_btn").disabled = false;
 
 		new Ajax.Request(query,	{
 				onComplete: function(transport) {
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@ function editSelectedFeeds() {
 function piggie(enable) {
 	if (enable) {
 		debug("I LOVEDED IT!");
-		var piggie = document.getElementById("piggie");
+		var piggie = $("piggie");
 
 		Element.show(piggie);
 		Position.Center(piggie);
@@ -980,7 +980,7 @@ function piggie(enable) {
 
 function validateOpmlImport() {
 	
-	var opml_file = document.getElementById("opml_file");
+	var opml_file = $("opml_file");
 
 	if (opml_file.value.length == 0) {
 		alert(__("No OPML file to upload."));
@@ -993,7 +993,7 @@ function validateOpmlImport() {
 function updateFilterList(sort_key) {
 	try {
 
-		var filter_search = document.getElementById("filter_search");
+		var filter_search = $("filter_search");
 		var search = "";
 		if (filter_search) { search = filter_search.value; }
 	
@@ -1016,7 +1016,7 @@ function updateLabelList(sort_key) {
 
 	try {
 
-		var label_search = document.getElementById("label_search");
+		var label_search = $("label_search");
 		var search = "";
 		if (label_search) { search = label_search.value; }
 	
@@ -1054,7 +1054,7 @@ function selectTab(id, noupdate, subop) {
 	try {
 
 		try {
-			var c = document.getElementById('prefContent');	
+			var c = $('prefContent');	
 			c.scrollTop = 0;
 		} catch (e) { };
 
@@ -1088,7 +1088,7 @@ function selectTab(id, noupdate, subop) {
 
 		/* clean selection from all tabs */
 	
-		var tabs_holder = document.getElementById("prefTabs");
+		var tabs_holder = $("prefTabs");
 		var tab = tabs_holder.firstChild;
 
 		while (tab) {
@@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ function selectTab(id, noupdate, subop) {
 
 		/* mark new tab as selected */
 
-		tab = document.getElementById(id + "Tab");
+		tab = $(id + "Tab");
 	
 		if (tab) {
 			if (!tab.className.match("Selected")) {
@@ -1175,7 +1175,7 @@ function init_second_stage() {
 
 	try {
 		active_tab = getInitParam("prefs_active_tab");
-		if (!document.getElementById(active_tab+"Tab")) active_tab = "genConfig";
+		if (!$(active_tab+"Tab")) active_tab = "genConfig";
 		if (!active_tab || active_tab == '0') active_tab = "genConfig";
 
 		document.onkeydown = pref_hotkey_handler;
@@ -1238,7 +1238,7 @@ function categorizeSelectedFeeds() {
 
 	var sel_rows = getSelectedFeeds();
 
-	var cat_sel = document.getElementById("sfeed_set_fcat");
+	var cat_sel = $("sfeed_set_fcat");
 	var cat_id = cat_sel[cat_sel.selectedIndex].value;
 
 	if (sel_rows.length > 0) {
@@ -1481,7 +1481,7 @@ function pref_hotkey_handler(e) {
 					"feed_search", "filter_search", "user_search", "feed_browser_search");
 
 				for (var i = 0; i < search_boxes.length; i++) {
-					var elem = document.getElementById(search_boxes[i]);
+					var elem = $(search_boxes[i]);
 					if (elem) {
 						focus_element(search_boxes[i]);
 						return false;
@@ -1532,27 +1532,27 @@ function pref_hotkey_handler(e) {
 
 			hotkey_prefix = false;
 
-			if (keycode == 49 && document.getElementById("genConfigTab")) { // 1
+			if (keycode == 49 && $("genConfigTab")) { // 1
 				selectTab("genConfig");
 				return false;
 			}
 
-			if (keycode == 50 && document.getElementById("feedConfigTab")) { // 2
+			if (keycode == 50 && $("feedConfigTab")) { // 2
 				selectTab("feedConfig");
 				return false;
 			}
 
-			if (keycode == 51 && document.getElementById("filterConfigTab")) { // 4
+			if (keycode == 51 && $("filterConfigTab")) { // 4
 				selectTab("filterConfig");
 				return false;
 			}
 
-			if (keycode == 52 && document.getElementById("labelConfigTab")) { // 5
+			if (keycode == 52 && $("labelConfigTab")) { // 5
 				selectTab("labelConfig");
 				return false;
 			}
 
-			if (keycode == 53 && document.getElementById("userConfigTab")) { // 6
+			if (keycode == 53 && $("userConfigTab")) { // 6
 				selectTab("userConfig");
 				return false;
 			}
@@ -1563,7 +1563,7 @@ function pref_hotkey_handler(e) {
 
 		}
 
-		if (document.getElementById("piggie")) {
+		if ($("piggie")) {
 	
 			if (seq.match("807371717369")) {
 				seq = "";
@@ -1586,10 +1586,10 @@ function pref_hotkey_handler(e) {
 
 function editFeedCats() {
 	try {
-		document.getElementById("subscribe_to_feed_btn").disabled = true;
+		$("subscribe_to_feed_btn").disabled = true;
 	
 		try {
-			document.getElementById("top25_feeds_btn").disabled = true;
+			$("top25_feeds_btn").disabled = true;
 		} catch (e) {
 			// this button is not always available, no-op if not found
 		}
@@ -1736,7 +1736,7 @@ function validatePrefsSave() {
 
 function feedActionChange() {
 	try {
-		var chooser = document.getElementById("feedActionChooser");
+		var chooser = $("feedActionChooser");
 		var opid = chooser[chooser.selectedIndex].value;
 
 		chooser.selectedIndex = 0;
@@ -1961,7 +1961,7 @@ function feedsEditSave() {
 function batchFeedsToggleField(cb, elem, label) {
 	try {
 		var f = document.forms["batch_edit_feed_form"];
-		var l = document.getElementById(label);
+		var l = $(label);
 
 		if (cb.checked) {
 			f[elem].disabled = false;
@@ -2026,7 +2026,7 @@ function labelColorAsk(id, kind) {
 
 			selectPrefRows('label', false);
 
-			var e = document.getElementById("LICID-" + id);
+			var e = $("LICID-" + id);
 
 			if (e) {		
 				if (kind == "fg") {
@@ -2047,7 +2047,7 @@ function labelColorAsk(id, kind) {
 
 function colorPicker(id, fg, bg) {
 	try {
-		var picker = document.getElementById("colorPicker-" + id);
+		var picker = $("colorPicker-" + id);
 
 		if (picker) Element.show(picker);
 
@@ -2058,9 +2058,9 @@ function colorPicker(id, fg, bg) {
 
 function colorPickerHideAll() {
 	try {
-		if (document.getElementById("prefLabelList")) {
+		if ($("prefLabelList")) {
 
-			var elems = document.getElementById("prefLabelList").getElementsByTagName("DIV");
+			var elems = $("prefLabelList").getElementsByTagName("DIV");
 
 			for (var i = 0; i < elems.length; i++) {
 				if (elems[i].id && elems[i].id.match("colorPicker-")) {
@@ -2081,7 +2081,7 @@ function colorPickerDo(id, fg, bg) {
 			"&ids=" + param_escape(id) + "&fg=" + param_escape(fg) + 
 			"&bg=" + param_escape(bg);
 
-		var e = document.getElementById("LICID-" + id);
+		var e = $("LICID-" + id);
 
 		if (e) {		
 			e.style.color = fg;
diff --git a/tt-rss.js b/tt-rss.js
index 90ac934d7..d6a95eddd 100644
--- a/tt-rss.js
+++ b/tt-rss.js
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ function toggleTags(show_all) {
 
 	debug("toggleTags: " + show_all + "; " + display_tags);
 
-	var p = document.getElementById("dispSwitchPrompt");
+	var p = $("dispSwitchPrompt");
 
 	if (!show_all && !display_tags) {
 		displayDlg("printTagCloud");
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ function toggleTags(show_all) {
 
 function dlg_frefresh_callback(transport, deleted_feed) {
 	if (getActiveFeedId() == deleted_feed) {
-		var h = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
+		var h = $("headlines-frame");
 		if (h) {
 			h.innerHTML = "<div class='whiteBox'>" + __('No feed selected.') + "</div>";
 		}
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ function updateFeedList(silent, fetch) {
 	
 	if (fetch) query_str = query_str + "&fetch=yes";
 
-//	var feeds_frame = document.getElementById("feeds-frame");
+//	var feeds_frame = $("feeds-frame");
 //	feeds_frame.src = query_str;
 
 	debug("updateFeedList Q=" + query_str);
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ function timeout() {
 }
 
 function resetSearch() {
-	var searchbox = document.getElementById("searchbox")
+	var searchbox = $("searchbox")
 
 	if (searchbox.value != "" && getActiveFeedId()) {	
 		searchbox.value = "";
@@ -421,12 +421,12 @@ function resize_headlines(delta_x, delta_y) {
 
 		debug("resize_headlines: " + delta_x + ":" + delta_y);
 	
-		var h_frame = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
-		var c_frame = document.getElementById("content-frame");
-		var f_frame = document.getElementById("footer");
-		var feeds_frame = document.getElementById("feeds-holder");
-		var resize_grab = document.getElementById("resize-grabber");
-		var resize_handle = document.getElementById("resize-handle");
+		var h_frame = $("headlines-frame");
+		var c_frame = $("content-frame");
+		var f_frame = $("footer");
+		var feeds_frame = $("feeds-holder");
+		var resize_grab = $("resize-grabber");
+		var resize_handle = $("resize-handle");
 
 		if (!c_frame || !h_frame) return;
 	
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ function init_second_stage() {
 
 		if (fl) {
 			render_feedlist(fl);
-			if (document.getElementById("feedList")) {
+			if ($("feedList")) {
 				request_counters();
 			} else {
 				setTimeout('updateFeedList(false, false)', 50);
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ function init_second_stage() {
 }
 
 function quickMenuChange() {
-	var chooser = document.getElementById("quickMenuChooser");
+	var chooser = $("quickMenuChooser");
 	var opid = chooser[chooser.selectedIndex].value;
 
 	chooser.selectedIndex = 0;
@@ -760,7 +760,7 @@ function parse_runtime_info(elem) {
 		}
 
 		if (k == "new_version_available") {
-			var icon = document.getElementById("newVersionIcon");
+			var icon = $("newVersionIcon");
 			if (icon) {
 				if (v == "1") {
 					icon.style.display = "inline";
@@ -786,7 +786,7 @@ function parse_runtime_info(elem) {
 			notify('');
 		}
 
-/*		var w = document.getElementById("noDaemonWarning");
+/*		var w = $("noDaemonWarning");
 		
 		if (w) {
 			if (k == "daemon_is_running" && v != 1) {
@@ -916,13 +916,13 @@ function collapse_feedlist() {
 		if (theme != "" && theme != "compact" && theme != "graycube" &&
 				theme != "compat") return;
 
-		var fl = document.getElementById("feeds-holder");
-		var fh = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
-		var fc = document.getElementById("content-frame");
-		var ft = document.getElementById("toolbar");
-		var ff = document.getElementById("footer");
-		var fhdr = document.getElementById("header");
-		var fbtn = document.getElementById("collapse_feeds_btn");
+		var fl = $("feeds-holder");
+		var fh = $("headlines-frame");
+		var fc = $("content-frame");
+		var ft = $("toolbar");
+		var ff = $("footer");
+		var fhdr = $("header");
+		var fbtn = $("collapse_feeds_btn");
 
 		if (!Element.visible(fl)) {
 			Element.show(fl);
@@ -1036,7 +1036,7 @@ function hotkey_handler(e) {
 		var keycode;
 		var shift_key = false;
 
-		var feedlist = document.getElementById('feedList');
+		var feedlist = $('feedList');
 
 		try {
 			shift_key = e.shiftKey;
@@ -1217,7 +1217,7 @@ function hotkey_handler(e) {
 			if (keycode == 9) { // tab
 				var id = getArticleUnderPointer();
 				if (id) {				
-					var cb = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + id);
+					var cb = $("RCHK-" + id);
 
 					if (cb) {
 						cb.checked = !cb.checked;
diff --git a/viewfeed.js b/viewfeed.js
index acce5310d..faa691583 100644
--- a/viewfeed.js
+++ b/viewfeed.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ function catchup_callback2(transport, callback) {
 
 function clean_feed_selections() {
 	try {
-		var feeds = document.getElementById("feedList").getElementsByTagName("LI");
+		var feeds = $("feedList").getElementsByTagName("LI");
 
 		for (var i = 0; i < feeds.length; i++) {
 			if (feeds[i].id && feeds[i].id.match("FEEDR-")) {
@@ -69,18 +69,18 @@ function headlines_callback2(transport, feed_cur_page) {
 		}
 
 		if (!is_cat) {
-			var feedr = document.getElementById("FEEDR-" + feed_id);
+			var feedr = $("FEEDR-" + feed_id);
 			if (feedr && !feedr.className.match("Selected")) {	
 				feedr.className = feedr.className + "Selected";
 			} 
 		} else {
-			var feedr = document.getElementById("FCAT-" + feed_id);
+			var feedr = $("FCAT-" + feed_id);
 			if (feedr && !feedr.className.match("Selected")) {	
 				feedr.className = feedr.className + "Selected";
 			} 
 		}
 	
-		var f = document.getElementById("headlines-frame");
+		var f = $("headlines-frame");
 		try {
 			if (feed_cur_page == 0) { 
 				debug("resetting headlines scrollTop");
@@ -141,10 +141,10 @@ function headlines_callback2(transport, feed_cur_page) {
 					if (headlines_count > 0) {
 						debug("adding some more headlines...");
 	
-						var c = document.getElementById("headlinesList");
+						var c = $("headlinesList");
 		
 						if (!c) {
-							c = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+							c = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 						}
 
 						var ids = getSelectedArticleIds2();
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ function headlines_callback2(transport, feed_cur_page) {
 	
 		if (_cdm_wd_timeout) window.clearTimeout(_cdm_wd_timeout);
 	
-		if (!document.getElementById("headlinesList") && 
+		if (!$("headlinesList") && 
 				getActiveFeedId() != -3 &&
 				getInitParam("cdm_auto_catchup") == 1) {
 			debug("starting CDM watchdog");
@@ -227,12 +227,12 @@ function headlines_callback2(transport, feed_cur_page) {
 
 function render_article(article) {
 	try {
-		var f = document.getElementById("content-frame");
+		var f = $("content-frame");
 		try {
 			f.scrollTop = 0;
 		} catch (e) { };
 
-		var fi = document.getElementById("content-insert");
+		var fi = $("content-insert");
 
 		try {
 			fi.scrollTop = 0;
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ function showArticleInHeadlines(id) {
 
 		cleanSelected("headlinesList");
 	
-		var crow = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var crow = $("RROW-" + id);
 
 		if (!crow) return;
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ function showArticleInHeadlines(id) {
 
 		selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', false);
 	
-		var upd_img_pic = document.getElementById("FUPDPIC-" + id);
+		var upd_img_pic = $("FUPDPIC-" + id);
 
 		var cache_prefix = "";
 				
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ function showArticleInHeadlines(id) {
 			cache_invalidate(cache_prefix + getActiveFeedId());
 
 			cache_inject(cache_prefix + getActiveFeedId(),
-				document.getElementById("headlines-frame").innerHTML,
+				$("headlines-frame").innerHTML,
 				get_feed_unread(getActiveFeedId()));
 
 		} else if (article_is_unread && view_mode == "all_articles") {
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ function showArticleInHeadlines(id) {
 			cache_invalidate(cache_prefix + getActiveFeedId());
 
 			cache_inject(cache_prefix + getActiveFeedId(),
-				document.getElementById("headlines-frame").innerHTML,
+				$("headlines-frame").innerHTML,
 				get_feed_unread(getActiveFeedId())-1);
 
 		} else if (article_is_unread) {
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ function article_callback2(transport, id, feed_id) {
 		
 		} else {
 			debug("article_callback: returned no XML object");
-			//var f = document.getElementById("content-frame");
+			//var f = $("content-frame");
 			//f.innerHTML = "<div class='whiteBox'>" + __('Could not display article (missing XML object)') + "</div>";
 		}
 
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ function view(id, feed_id, skip_history) {
 
 		query = query + "&cids=" + cids_to_request.toString();
 
-		var crow = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var crow = $("RROW-" + id);
 		var article_is_unread = crow.className.match("Unread");
 
 		if (!async_counters_work) {
@@ -531,12 +531,12 @@ function toggleMark(id, client_only, no_effects) {
 			query = query + "&omode=flc";
 		}
 	
-		var mark_img = document.getElementById("FMPIC-" + id);
+		var mark_img = $("FMPIC-" + id);
 
 		if (!mark_img) return;
 
-		var vfeedu = document.getElementById("FEEDU--1");
-		var crow = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var vfeedu = $("FEEDU--1");
+		var crow = $("RROW-" + id);
 	
 		if (mark_img.src.match("mark_unset")) {
 			mark_img.src = mark_img.src.replace("mark_unset", "mark_set");
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ function toggleMark(id, client_only, no_effects) {
 			mark_img.alt = __("Please wait...");
 			query = query + "&mark=0";
 	
-			if (document.getElementById("headlinesList") && !no_effects) {
+			if ($("headlinesList") && !no_effects) {
 				Effect.Puff(mark_img, {duration : 0.25, afterFinish: tMark_afh_off});
 			} else { 
 				mark_img.src = mark_img.src.replace("mark_set", "mark_unset");
@@ -596,12 +596,12 @@ function togglePub(id, client_only, no_effects) {
 			query = query + "&omode=flc";
 		}
 	
-		var mark_img = document.getElementById("FPPIC-" + id);
+		var mark_img = $("FPPIC-" + id);
 
 		if (!mark_img) return;
 
-		var vfeedu = document.getElementById("FEEDU--2");
-		var crow = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var vfeedu = $("FEEDU--2");
+		var crow = $("RROW-" + id);
 	
 		if (mark_img.src.match("pub_unset")) {
 			mark_img.src = mark_img.src.replace("pub_unset", "pub_set");
@@ -614,7 +614,7 @@ function togglePub(id, client_only, no_effects) {
 			mark_img.alt = __("Please wait...");
 			query = query + "&pub=0";
 	
-			if (document.getElementById("headlinesList") && !no_effects) {
+			if ($("headlinesList") && !no_effects) {
 				Effect.Puff(mark_img, {duration : 0.25, afterFinish: tPub_afh_off});
 			} else { 
 				mark_img.src = mark_img.src.replace("pub_set", "pub_unset");
@@ -639,9 +639,9 @@ function correctHeadlinesOffset(id) {
 	
 	try {
 
-		var hlist = document.getElementById("headlinesList");
-		var container = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
-		var row = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var hlist = $("headlinesList");
+		var container = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var row = $("RROW-" + id);
 	
 		var viewport = container.offsetHeight;
 	
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ function moveToPost(mode) {
 		var prev_id = false;
 		var next_id = false;
 		
-		if (!document.getElementById('RROW-' + active_post_id)) {
+		if (!$('RROW-' + active_post_id)) {
 			active_post_id = false;
 		}
 		
@@ -738,9 +738,9 @@ function moveToPost(mode) {
 function toggleSelected(id) {
 	try {
 	
-		var cb = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + id);
+		var cb = $("RCHK-" + id);
 
-		var row = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var row = $("RROW-" + id);
 		if (row) {
 			var nc = row.className;
 			
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ function toggleUnread_afh(effect) {
 function toggleUnread(id, cmode, effect) {
 	try {
 	
-		var row = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var row = $("RROW-" + id);
 		if (row) {
 			var nc = row.className;
 			var is_selected = row.className.match("Selected");
@@ -791,7 +791,7 @@ function toggleUnread(id, cmode, effect) {
 			// since we are removing selection from the object, uncheck
 			// corresponding checkbox
 
-			var cb = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + id);
+			var cb = $("RCHK-" + id);
 			if (cb) {
 				cb.checked = false;
 			}
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ function selectionToggleUnread(cdm_mode, set_state, callback_func, no_error) {
 		}
 
 		for (i = 0; i < rows.length; i++) {
-			var row = document.getElementById("RROW-" + rows[i]);
+			var row = $("RROW-" + rows[i]);
 			if (row) {
 				var nc = row.className;
 				nc = nc.replace("Unread", "");
@@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ function selectionTogglePublished(cdm_mode) {
 
 function cdmGetSelectedArticles() {
 	var sel_articles = new Array();
-	var container = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+	var container = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 	for (i = 0; i < container.childNodes.length; i++) {
 		var child = container.childNodes[i];
@@ -1116,7 +1116,7 @@ function cdmGetSelectedArticles() {
 
 function cdmGetVisibleArticles() {
 	var sel_articles = new Array();
-	var container = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+	var container = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 	if (!container) return sel_articles;
 
@@ -1134,7 +1134,7 @@ function cdmGetVisibleArticles() {
 
 function cdmGetUnreadArticles() {
 	var sel_articles = new Array();
-	var container = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+	var container = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 	for (i = 0; i < container.childNodes.length; i++) {
 		var child = container.childNodes[i];
@@ -1151,7 +1151,7 @@ function cdmGetUnreadArticles() {
 
 // mode = all,none,unread
 function cdmSelectArticles(mode) {
-	var container = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+	var container = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 	for (i = 0; i < container.childNodes.length; i++) {
 		var child = container.childNodes[i];
@@ -1159,7 +1159,7 @@ function cdmSelectArticles(mode) {
 		if (child.id && child.id.match("RROW-")) {
 			var aid = child.id.replace("RROW-", "");
 
-			var cb = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + aid);
+			var cb = $("RCHK-" + aid);
 
 			if (mode == "all") {
 				if (!child.className.match("Selected")) {
@@ -1191,7 +1191,7 @@ function catchupPage() {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	if (document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+	if ($("headlinesList")) {
 		selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', true, 'Unread', true);
 		selectionToggleUnread(false, false, 'viewCurrentFeed()', true);
 		selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', false);
@@ -1208,7 +1208,7 @@ function catchupSelection() {
 
 		var rows;
 	
-		if (document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+		if ($("headlinesList")) {
 			rows = getSelectedTableRowIds("headlinesList", "RROW", "RCHK");
 		} else {	
 			rows = cdmGetSelectedArticles();
@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ function catchupSelection() {
 			return;
 		}
 	
-		if (document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+		if ($("headlinesList")) {
 			selectionToggleUnread(false, false, 'viewCurrentFeed()', true);
 	//		selectTableRowsByIdPrefix('headlinesList', 'RROW-', 'RCHK-', false);
 		} else {
@@ -1268,7 +1268,7 @@ function tag_saved_callback(transport) {
 				var id = tags_str.getAttribute("id");
 
 				if (id) {
-					var tags = document.getElementById("ATSTR-" + id);
+					var tags = $("ATSTR-" + id);
 					if (tags) {
 						tags.innerHTML = tags_str.firstChild.nodeValue;
 					}
@@ -1328,7 +1328,7 @@ function editTagsInsert() {
 function cdmScrollViewport(where) {
 	debug("cdmScrollViewport: " + where);
 
-	var ctr = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+	var ctr = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 	if (!ctr) return;
 
@@ -1341,8 +1341,8 @@ function cdmScrollViewport(where) {
 
 function cdmArticleIsBelowViewport(id) {
 	try {
-		var ctr = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
-		var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var ctr = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var e = $("RROW-" + id);
 
 		if (!e || !ctr) return;
 
@@ -1361,8 +1361,8 @@ function cdmArticleIsBelowViewport(id) {
 
 function cdmArticleIsAboveViewport(id) {
 	try {
-		var ctr = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
-		var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var ctr = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var e = $("RROW-" + id);
 
 		if (!e || !ctr) return;
 
@@ -1381,8 +1381,8 @@ function cdmArticleIsAboveViewport(id) {
 
 function cdmScrollToArticleId(id) {
 	try {
-		var ctr = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
-		var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var ctr = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var e = $("RROW-" + id);
 
 		if (!e || !ctr) return;
 
@@ -1395,8 +1395,8 @@ function cdmScrollToArticleId(id) {
 
 function cdmArticleIsActuallyVisible(id) {
 	try {
-		var ctr = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
-		var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var ctr = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var e = $("RROW-" + id);
 
 		if (!e || !ctr) return;
 
@@ -1427,7 +1427,7 @@ function cdmWatchdog() {
 
 	try {
 
-		var ctr = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var ctr = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 		if (!ctr) return;
 
@@ -1478,7 +1478,7 @@ function cdmWatchdog() {
 		if (ids.length > 0) {
 
 			for (var i = 0; i < ids.length; i++) {
-				var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + ids[i]);
+				var e = $("RROW-" + ids[i]);
 				if (e) {
 					e.className = e.className.replace("Unread", "");
 				}
@@ -1688,7 +1688,7 @@ function getActiveArticleId() {
 
 function cdmClicked(id) {
 	try {
-		var elem = document.getElementById("RROW-" + id);
+		var elem = $("RROW-" + id);
 
 		if (elem) {
 			var id = elem.id.replace("RROW-", "");
@@ -1782,7 +1782,7 @@ function postMouseOut(id) {
 function headlines_scroll_handler() {
 	try {
 
-		var e = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+		var e = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 
 		// don't do infinite scrolling when Limit == All
 
@@ -1819,7 +1819,7 @@ function catchupRelativeToArticle(below) {
 
 		var visible_ids;
 
-		if (document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+		if ($("headlinesList")) {
 			visible_ids = getVisibleHeadlineIds();
 		} else {
 			visible_ids = cdmGetVisibleArticles();
@@ -1830,7 +1830,7 @@ function catchupRelativeToArticle(below) {
 		if (!below) {
 			for (var i = 0; i < visible_ids.length; i++) {
 				if (visible_ids[i] != getActiveArticleId()) {
-					var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + visible_ids[i]);
+					var e = $("RROW-" + visible_ids[i]);
 
 					if (e && e.className.match("Unread")) {
 						ids_to_mark.push(visible_ids[i]);
@@ -1842,7 +1842,7 @@ function catchupRelativeToArticle(below) {
 		} else {
 			for (var i = visible_ids.length-1; i >= 0; i--) {
 				if (visible_ids[i] != getActiveArticleId()) {
-					var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + visible_ids[i]);
+					var e = $("RROW-" + visible_ids[i]);
 
 					if (e && e.className.match("Unread")) {
 						ids_to_mark.push(visible_ids[i]);
@@ -1861,7 +1861,7 @@ function catchupRelativeToArticle(below) {
 			if (confirm(msg)) {
 
 				for (var i = 0; i < ids_to_mark.length; i++) {
-					var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + ids_to_mark[i]);
+					var e = $("RROW-" + ids_to_mark[i]);
 					e.className = e.className.replace("Unread", "");
 				}
 
@@ -1892,7 +1892,7 @@ function cdmExpandArticle(a_id) {
 		Effect.Appear(id, {duration : 0.5, 
 			beforeStart: function(effect) { 
 				var h_id = 'CICH-' + a_id;
-				var h_elem = document.getElementById(h_id);
+				var h_elem = $(h_id);
 				if (h_elem) { h_elem.style.display = "none"; }
 
 				toggleUnread(a_id, 0);
@@ -1908,7 +1908,7 @@ function cdmExpandArticle(a_id) {
 function fixHeadlinesOrder(ids) {
 	try {
 		for (var i = 0; i < ids.length; i++) {
-			var e = document.getElementById("RROW-" + ids[i]);
+			var e = $("RROW-" + ids[i]);
 
 			if (e) {
 				if (i % 2 == 0) {
@@ -1929,7 +1929,7 @@ function hideReadHeadlines() {
 		var ids = false;
 		var vis_ids = new Array();
 
-		if (document.getElementById("headlinesList")) {
+		if ($("headlinesList")) {
 			ids = getVisibleHeadlineIds();
 		} else {
 			ids = cdmGetVisibleArticles();
@@ -1938,7 +1938,7 @@ function hideReadHeadlines() {
 		var read_headlines_visible = true;
 
 		for (var i = 0; i < ids.length; i++) {
-			var row = document.getElementById("RROW-" + ids[i]);
+			var row = $("RROW-" + ids[i]);
 
 			if (row && row.className) {
 				if (read_headlines_visible) {
@@ -1985,7 +1985,7 @@ function invertHeadlineSelection() {
 		for (var i = 0; i < rows.length; i++) {
 			var nc = rows[i].className;
 			var id = rows[i].id.replace("RROW-", "");
-			var cb = document.getElementById("RCHK-" + id);
+			var cb = $("RCHK-" + id);
 
 			if (!rows[i].className.match("Selected")) {
 				nc = nc + "Selected";
@@ -2039,7 +2039,7 @@ function showOriginalArticleInline(id) {
 					if (link && id) {
 						link = link.firstChild.nodeValue;
 
-						var ci = document.getElementById("content-insert");
+						var ci = $("content-insert");
 
 						var tmp = "<iframe id=\"inline_orig_article\" width=\""+ci.offsetWidth+"\" height=\""+ci.offsetHeight+"\" style=\"border-width : 0px;\" src=\""+link+"\"></iframe>";
 
@@ -2058,12 +2058,12 @@ function showOriginalArticleInline(id) {
 function scrollArticle(offset) {
 	try {
 		if (!isCdmMode()) {
-			var ci = document.getElementById("content-insert");
+			var ci = $("content-insert");
 			if (ci) {
 				ci.scrollTop += offset;
 			}
 		} else {
-			var hi = document.getElementById("headlinesInnerContainer");
+			var hi = $("headlinesInnerContainer");
 			if (hi) {
 				hi.scrollTop += offset;
 			}
@@ -2086,7 +2086,7 @@ function show_labels_in_headlines(transport) {
 
 				if (e_id) {
 
-					var ctr = document.getElementById("HLLCTR-" + e_id);
+					var ctr = $("HLLCTR-" + e_id);
 
 					if (ctr) {
 						ctr.innerHTML = elems[l].firstChild.nodeValue;
@@ -2104,8 +2104,8 @@ function show_labels_in_headlines(transport) {
 
 function toggleHeadlineActions() {
 	try {
-		var e = document.getElementById("headlineActionsBody");
-		var p = document.getElementById("headlineActionsDrop");
+		var e = $("headlineActionsBody");
+		var p = $("headlineActionsDrop");
 
 		if (!Element.visible(e)) {
 			Element.show(e);