/** Returns the difference in milliseconds between two dates formatted as:
     *    6/16/2003 06:30:35
     *    6/16/2003 06:31:37
     */
    public long getDifference(String first, String second){
        SimpleDateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss");
        Date firstDate = format.parse(first, new ParsePosition(0));
        Date secondDate = format.parse(second, new ParsePosition(0));
        return Math.abs(firstDate.getTime() - secondDate.getTime());
        
    }
    
    /** Returns a java.util.Date from a string formatted as:
     *    6/16/2003 06:30:35
     */
    public Date getDate(String dateString){
        SimpleDateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss");
        return format.parse(dateString, new ParsePosition(0));
    }