diff --git a/src/item.php b/src/item.php
index 34d3a48..6ec942b 100644
--- a/src/item.php
+++ b/src/item.php
@@ -27,6 +27,18 @@ else {
 	$userid = $_SESSION["userid"];
 }
 
+# set default variables
+$name = "";
+$description = "";
+$price = 0.00;
+$source = "";
+$url = "";
+$category = 1;
+$ranking = 3;
+$comment = "";
+$quantity = 1;
+$image_filename = "";
+
 // for security, let's make sure that if an itemid was passed in, it belongs
 // to $userid.  all operations on this page should only be performed by
 // the item's owner.
diff --git a/src/templates/categories.tpl b/src/templates/categories.tpl
index 077988b..489ec69 100644
--- a/src/templates/categories.tpl
+++ b/src/templates/categories.tpl
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
 							{/foreach}
 						</tbody>
 					</table>
-					<h5><a href="categories.php#catform">Add a new category</a></h5>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 		</div>
diff --git a/src/templates/families.tpl b/src/templates/families.tpl
index aa03f82..ce496f5 100644
--- a/src/templates/families.tpl
+++ b/src/templates/families.tpl
@@ -93,7 +93,6 @@ Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
 							{/foreach}
 						</tbody>
 					</table>
-					<h5><a href="families.php">Add a new family</a></h5>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 		</div>
diff --git a/src/templates/ranks.tpl b/src/templates/ranks.tpl
index fb68419..eeb03b6 100644
--- a/src/templates/ranks.tpl
+++ b/src/templates/ranks.tpl
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
 							{/foreach}
 						</tbody>
 					</table>
-					<h5><a href="ranks.php#rankform">Add a new rank</a></h5>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 		</div>
diff --git a/src/templates/users.tpl b/src/templates/users.tpl
index 7c66707..164a12b 100644
--- a/src/templates/users.tpl
+++ b/src/templates/users.tpl
@@ -120,7 +120,6 @@ Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
 							{/foreach}
 						</tbody>
 					</table>
-					<h5><a href="users.php">Add a new user</a></h5>
 				</div>
 			</div>
 		</div>