function slide(navigation_id, pad_out, pad_in, time, multiplier) {
	// creates the target paths
	var list_elements = navigation_id + " li.sliding-element";
	var link_elements = list_elements + " a";

	// initiates the timer used for the sliding animation
	var timer = 0;

	// creates the slide animation for all list elements
	$(list_elements).each(function(i) {
		// margin left = - ([width of element] + [total vertical padding of
		// element])
			$(this).css("margin-left", "-180px");
			// updates timer
			timer = (timer * multiplier + time);
			$(this).animate( {
				marginLeft : "0"
			}, timer);
			$(this).animate( {
				marginLeft : "15px"
			}, timer);
			$(this).animate( {
				marginLeft : "0"
			}, timer);
		});

	// creates the hover-slide effect for all link elements
	$(link_elements).each(function(i) {
		$(this).hover(function() {
			$(this).animate( {
				paddingLeft : pad_out
			}, 150);
		}, function() {
			$(this).animate( {
				paddingLeft : pad_in
			}, 150);
		});
	});
}