window.addEvent('domready', function() {

    //slider variables for making things easier below
    var itemsHolder = $('slidercontainer');
    var myItems = $$(itemsHolder.getElements('.item'));

    var theControls = $('controls1');
    var thePrevBtn = $(theControls.getElement('.prev_btn'));
    var theNextBtn = $(theControls.getElement('.next_btn'));

    //create instance of the slider, and start it up
    var mySlider = new SL_Slider({
        slideTimer: 4000,
        orientation: 'horizontal',
        fade: true,
        isPaused: false,
        container: itemsHolder,
        items: myItems,
        prevBtn: thePrevBtn,
        nextBtn: theNextBtn
    });
    mySlider.start();

});