<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">
	<!--

	function textCounter(field, countfield, maxlimit) {
		if (field.value.length > maxlimit) // if too long...trim it!
			field.value = field.value.substring(0, maxlimit);
			// otherwise, update 'characters left' counter
		else
			countfield.value = maxlimit - field.value.length;
	}

// -->
</SCRIPT>

<form name="post" ....>

<textarea name="message" onKeyDown="textCounter(this.form.message,this.form.remLen,100);" onKeyUp="textCounter(this.form.message,this.form.remLen,100);"></textarea>

<input readonly type="text" name=remLen value="100">
</form>