$.fn.ticker = function(speed) {
    var self = this;

    self.each(function(i) {
        var ths = $(this);

        setInterval(function() {
            var curr = ths.find('li.current');

            var next = curr.next('li');

            if (!next.length) {
                next = ths.find('li:first');
            }

            curr.animate({ 'width': 0 }, 1500, 'swing', function() {
                next.animate({ 'width': '950px' }, 1500, 'swing', function() {
                    $(this).addClass('current').siblings('.current').removeClass('current');
                });
            })

        }, speed || 6000);
    });

    return self;
}
$.fn.externalLinks = function() {
    return this.find('a[href^=http]:not([href*=' + location.hostname + '])').attr('target', '_blank')/*.append('<em class="ext"> [this link opens in a new window] </em>')*/.end();
};


$(document).ready(function() {
    $("#ticker").ticker();
    $(document).externalLinks();
});