function slideVertical(navigation_id, pad_out, pad_in, time, multiplier, _align)
{
	// 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 	
	if (_align == 1)
	    {
	        $(link_elements).each(function(i)
	        {
		        $(this).hover(
		        function()
		        {
			        $(this).animate({ paddingLeft: pad_out }, 150);
		        },		
		        function()
		        {
			        $(this).animate({ paddingLeft: pad_in }, 150);
		        });
	        });
   
	    }
	else
	    {	
	        $(link_elements).each(function(i)
	        {
		        $(this).hover(
		        function()
		        {
			        $(this).animate({ paddingRight: pad_out }, 150);
		        },		
		        function()
		        {
			        $(this).animate({ paddingRight: pad_in }, 150);
		        });
	        });
	   }
}