An old school 'work in progress' indicator.

wip.js

function rotating_indicator(indicator) {
	var element = document.getElementById(indicator),
		type = element.innerHTML,
		next_type = "/";
	switch (type) {
		case "\\": next_type = "|"; break;
		case "|": next_type = "/"; break;
		case "/": next_type = "\u2014"; break;
		case "\u2014": next_type = "\\"; break;
	}
	window.setTimeout(function () {
		element.innerHTML = next_type;
		rotating_indicator(indicator);
	}, 150);
}