public static byte[] readBytes(String fileName) {
        try {

            // shows what the path is (for testing/debugging)
            // System.out.println(System.getProperty("user.dir"));

            // longer form of file name w/ path (if needed)
            // FileInputStream fstream = new
            // FileInputStream(System.getProperty("user.dir") + "/" + fileName);

            // shorter form of file name assumes file in current directory
            // (which is the project directory
            // if no subdirectory option used)

            File f = new File(fileName);
            if (f.exists() && !f.isDirectory()) {
                FileInputStream fstream = new FileInputStream(fileName);

                // Create a stream and reader for the file
                DataInputStream in = new DataInputStream(fstream);

                return org.apache.commons.io.IOUtils.toByteArray(in);
            }
            return null;

        } catch (Exception e) { // Catch exception if any
            WebServer.triggerInternalError("Error Loading File: " + e.getMessage());
            return null;
        }

    }