//gets the value of the first matched form field, or sets the value of all the matched form fields
    $.fn.formVal = function(newVal) {
        var self = this.get(0);
    
        if(newVal == null) {
            if(this.size() < 1) return null;
            else if(self.type == 'text') return self.value;
            else if(self.type == 'checkbox' || self.type == 'radio') return this.filter('input:checked').val();
            else if(self.tagName == 'OPTION') return this.parent().formVal();
            else if(self.tagName == 'SELECT') return this.find('option:selected').val();
            else return null;
        }
        
        if(self.type == 'text') return this.val(newVal);
        else if(self.type == 'checkbox' || self.type == 'radio') {
            this.find(':checked').removeAttr('checked');
            this.filter(function() { return (this.value == newVal); }).attr('checked', 'checked');
            return this;
        }
        else if(self.tagName == 'OPTION') return this.parent().formVal(newVal);
        else if(self.tagName == 'SELECT') {
            this.find('option:selected').removeAttr('selected');
            var options = this.find('option');
            var match = options.find('@value=' + newVal);
            if(match.size() < 1) match = options.contains(newVal);
            match.attr('selected', 'selected');
            return this;
        }
        else return this;
    };