--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2007/08/24 18:41:06	1.568
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2007/08/25 19:52:29	1.569
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.568 2007/08/24 18:41:06 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.569 2007/08/25 19:52:29 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -5642,6 +5642,7 @@ sub user_picker {
                     'instd'     => 'in institutional directory',
                     'exact'     => 'is',
                     'contains'  => 'contains',
+                    'begins'    => 'begins with',
                                        );
     my $domform = &select_dom_form($currdom,'srchdomain',1,1);
     my $srchinsel = ' <select name="srchin">';
@@ -5677,7 +5678,7 @@ sub user_picker {
     $srchbysel .= "\n  </select>\n";
 
     my $srchtypesel = ' <select name="srchtype">';
-    foreach my $option ('exact','contains') {
+    foreach my $option ('exact','begins','contains') {
         if ($curr_selected{'srchtype'} eq $option) {
             $srchtypesel .= '
    <option value="'.$option.'" selected="selected">'.$lt{$option}.'</option>';
@@ -5746,6 +5747,13 @@ function validateEntry() {
         msg += "You must include some text to search for.\\n";
     }
 
+    if (srchtype== 'begins') {
+        if (srchterm.length < 2) {
+            checkok = 0;
+            msg += "The text you are searching for must contain at least two characters when using a 'begins' type search.\\n";
+        }
+    }
+
     if (srchtype== 'contains') {
         if (srchterm.length < 3) {
             checkok = 0;