function makeRowInnerHtml(status, name, author) {

            var htmlResult = "<td>" + status + "</td>" + "<td>" + name +
                "</td>" + "<td>" + author + "</td>" + "<td>" + new Date() + "</td>";
            return htmlResult;
        }

        function makeRow(status, name, author, lastUpdated) {
            var element = document.createElement("tr");
            element.innerHTML = makeRowInnerHtml(status, name, author, lastUpdated);
            return element;
        }

        function addRow() {
            var author = $("#authorInput").val(),
                name = $("#statusInput").val();
            var newRow = makeRow(name, name, author);
            $("#firstRow").append(newRow);
        }