function setPointer(theRow, thePointerColor)
{
    var domDetect    = null;
    var newColor     = null;

    if (typeof(window.opera) == 'undefined'
        && typeof(theRow.getAttribute) != 'undefined') {
        domDetect    = true;
    }
    // 3.2 ... with other browsers
    else {
        domDetect    = false;
    } // end 3

    newColor = thePointerColor;

    // 5. Sets the new color...
        // 5.1 ... with DOM compatible browsers except Opera
        if (domDetect) {

                theRow.setAttribute('bgcolor', newColor, 0);
        }
        // 5.2 ... with other browsers
        else {
                theRow.style.backgroundColor = newColor;
        }

    return true;
} // end of the 'setPointer()' function