function subscribe(email, element) {
	// process the e-mail address
	var url = 'ajax/subscribe.php?email='+ email;
	
	new Ajax.Request(url,
	  {
	    method:'get',
	    onSuccess: function(transport){
	      var response = transport.responseText || "no response text";
	      
	      // update the subscription box with a response message
	      document.getElementById(element).innerHTML = response;
	    },
	    onFailure: function(){ alert('Something went wrong...'); }
	  });
}