function slideSwitch(target) {

    var active = $(target + ' li.active');

    if ( active.length == 0 ) active = $(target + ' li:last');

    var next =  active.next().length ? active.next()
        : $(target + ' li:first');

    active.addClass('last-active');

    next.css({opacity: 0.0})
        .addClass('active')
        .animate({opacity: 1.0}, 1000, function() {
            active.removeClass('active last-active');
        });
}