private void deactivateButtons()
        //  POST: Deactivates buttons that should not be pressed.
      {
    if (currentPage == 0) // if we are at the first page, disable leftTab
    {
      leftTab.deactivate();
    } else // otherwise activate it
    {
      leftTab.activate();
    }

    if (currentPage == totalPages - 1) // if we are at the last page, disable rightTab
    {
      rightTab.deactivate();
    } else // otherwise activate it
    {
      rightTab.activate();
    }

    if (itemSelected == -1) // if no item has been selected
    {
      buySellButton.deactivate();
    } else // otherwise activate it
    {
      buySellButton.activate();
    }

    if (!mode) // if we are in buying mode
    {
      buyTab.deactivate();
      sellTab.activate();
    } else // if we are in selling mode
    {
      sellTab.deactivate();
      buyTab.activate();
    }
  }