jQuery.fn.ratings = function(stars) {

  //Save  the jQuery object for later use.
  var elements = this;

  //Go through each object in the selector and create a ratings control.
  return this.each(function() {

    //Make sure intialRating is set.
    if(!initialRating)
      initialRating = 0;

    //Save the current element for later use.
    var containerElement = this;

    //grab the jQuery object for the current container div
    var container = jQuery(this);

    //Create an array of stars so they can be referenced again.
    var starsCollection = Array();

    //Save the initial rating.
    containerElement.rating = initialRating;

    //Set the container div's overflow to auto.  This ensure it will grow to
    //hold all of its children.
    container.css('overflow', 'auto');

    //create each star
    for(var starIdx = 0; starIdx < stars; starIdx++) {

      //Create a div to hold the star.
      var starElement = document.createElement('div');

      //Get a jQuery object for this star.
      var star = jQuery(starElement);

      //Store the rating that represents this star.
      starElement.rating = starIdx + 1;

      //Add the style.
      star.addClass('jquery-ratings-star');

      //Add the full css class if the star is beneath the initial rating.
      if(starIdx < initialRating) {
        star.addClass('jquery-ratings-full');
      }

      //add the star to the container
      container.append(star);
      starsCollection.push(star);

      //hook up the click event
      star.click(function() {
        //set the containers rating
        containerElement.rating = this.rating;

        //When clicked, fire the 'ratingchanged' event handler.
        //Pass the rating through as the data argument.
        elements.triggerHandler("ratingchanged", {rating: this.rating});
      });

      star.mouseenter(function() {
        //Highlight selected stars.
        for(var index = 0; index < this.rating; index++) {
          starsCollection[index].addClass('jquery-ratings-full');
        }
        //Unhighlight unselected stars.
        for(var index = this.rating; index < stars; index++) {
          starsCollection[index].removeClass('jquery-ratings-full');
        }
      });

      container.mouseleave(function() {
        //Highlight selected stars.
        for(var index = 0; index < containerElement.rating; index++) {
          starsCollection[index].addClass('jquery-ratings-full');
        }
        //Unhighlight unselected stars.
        for(var index = containerElement.rating; index < stars ; index++) {
          starsCollection[index].removeClass('jquery-ratings-full');
        }
      });
    }
  });
};