document.observe("dom:loaded", function() {

	var back = $('background');
	var img = new Image();

	if (preloadBackground) {
		back.setStyle({
			visibility: 'visible',
			opacity: 0
		});

		$(img).observe('load', function() {
			back.appendChild(img);
			new Effect.Opacity(back, { from:0, to: 1, duration: 1 });
		});
		img.src = backgroundImage;
	} else {
		back.setStyle({ visibility: 'visible' });
		img.src = backgroundImage;
		back.appendChild(img);
	}

});