public boolean checkFields(){
		boolean allGood = true;
		boolean noEnzymes = true;
		
		String name = this.nameTextField.getText();
		String prefix = this.prefixTextField.getText();
		String suffix = this.suffixTextField.getText();
		
		// check name
		if(name.compareTo("") == 0){
			ErrorMessage.giveErrorMessage("Please enter a name for the standard.");
			allGood = false;
		}
		
		// check prefix
		if(prefix.compareTo("") == 0){
				ErrorMessage.giveErrorMessage("Please enter a prefix for the standard.");
				allGood = false;
		}
		else{
			if(UtilityMethods.checkNucleotideSequence(prefix) == false){
				ErrorMessage.giveErrorMessage("Prefix does not have an appropriate nucleotide sequence.");
				allGood = false;
			}
		}
		
		// check suffix
		if(suffix.compareTo("") == 0){
			ErrorMessage.giveErrorMessage("Please enter a suffix for the standard.");
			allGood = false;
		}
		else{
			if(UtilityMethods.checkNucleotideSequence(suffix) == false){
				ErrorMessage.giveErrorMessage("Suffix does not have an appropriate nucleotide sequence.");
				allGood = false;
			}
		}

		// check if there are any enzymes selected
		for(int i = 0; i < this.enzymePanel.enzymeCheckBoxes.length; i++){
			if(this.enzymePanel.enzymeCheckBoxes[i].isSelected() == true){
				noEnzymes = false;
			}
		}
		
		// no enzymes selected
		// TODO add a dialog box that gives you options
		if(noEnzymes == true){
			ErrorMessage.giveErrorMessage("No restriction sites were selected.");
		}
		
		return allGood;
	}