function browserid_auth() {
  navigator.id.getVerifiedEmail(function(assertion) {
  if (assertion) {
    $('status').innerHTML = '&nbsp signing in...'
    new Ajax.Request('/signin', {
        method: 'post',
        onSuccess : function(resp) {
          if (resp.responseText == "logged in")
            document.location = '/';
          else alert("Invalid credentials");
        },
        parameters : 'BIDASSERT='+escape(assertion),
        onFailure: function(resp) {
          $('status').innerHTML = '&nbsp failed to contact server';
        }
     });
    } else {
       $('status').innerHTML = '';
     }
  });
}