function slideSwitch() {
     var $active = $('#slideShow a.active');

     if ( $active.length == 0 ) $active = $('#slideShow a:last');

     var $next =  $active.next().length ? $active.next()
         : $('#slideShow a:first');

     $active.addClass('last-active');

     $next.css({opacity: 0.0})
          .addClass('active')
          .animate({opacity: 1.0}, 1000, function() {
             $active.removeClass('active last-active');
          });
     }

     $(function() {

          setInterval( "slideSwitch()", 5000 );
     });