diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
index ff50f1c572..587609115d 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
@@ -31,7 +31,12 @@ TODO
          scheme/gui/base
          framework
          browser/external
-         "drsig.ss")
+         "drsig.ss"
+         
+         ;; the dynamic-require below loads this module, 
+         ;; so we make the dependency explicit here, even
+         ;; tho nothing is used from this module.
+         planet/terse-logger)
 
 (provide rep@ with-stacktrace-name)
 
@@ -1269,7 +1274,6 @@ TODO
                               (queue-callback (λ () (new-log-message vec))))
                             (loop))))))))
                  
-                 
                  (let ([drscheme-exit-handler
                         (λ (x)
                           (parameterize-break
@@ -1287,7 +1291,13 @@ TODO
                              (semaphore-wait s)
                              (custodian-shutdown-all user-custodian))))])
                    (exit-handler drscheme-exit-handler))
-                 (initialize-parameters snip-classes))))
+                 (initialize-parameters snip-classes)
+                 
+                 ;; register drscheme with the planet-terse-register for this namespace
+                 ((dynamic-require 'planet/terse-logger 'planet-terse-register)
+                  (lambda (tag package)
+                    (parameterize ([current-eventspace drscheme:init:system-eventspace])
+                      (queue-callback (λ () (new-planet-info tag package)))))))))
             
             ;; disable breaks until an evaluation actually occurs
             (send context set-breakables #f #f)
@@ -1451,6 +1461,13 @@ TODO
         (let ([frame (get-frame)])
           (when frame
             (send frame update-logger-window))))
+                        
+      (define/private (new-planet-info tag package) 
+        (void)
+        #;
+        (let ([frame (get-frame)])
+          (send frame open-status-line 'planet)
+          (send frame update-status-line 'planet (format "~s ~s" tag package))))
       
       
       ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
diff --git a/collects/planet/resolver.ss b/collects/planet/resolver.ss
index 04bb43ac2f..6aaf533094 100644
--- a/collects/planet/resolver.ss
+++ b/collects/planet/resolver.ss
@@ -208,7 +208,10 @@ subdirectory.
 ;; if #f, will not install packages and instead give an error
 (define install? (make-parameter #t))
 
-
+;; this calls the terse logger from the current-namespace,
+;; not the original one when the planet resolver was loaded.
+(define (planet-terse-log id str)
+  ((dynamic-require 'planet/terse-logger 'planet-terse-log) id str))
 
 ;; =============================================================================
 ;; DIAMOND PROPERTY STUFF
@@ -536,6 +539,7 @@ subdirectory.
               "Internal PLaneT error: trying to install already-installed package"
               (current-continuation-marks)))
       (begin
+        (planet-terse-log 'install (pkg-spec->string pkg))
         (with-logging
          (LOG-FILE)
          (lambda ()
@@ -560,9 +564,12 @@ subdirectory.
 ;; raises an exception if some protocol failure occurs in the download process
 (define (download-package/planet pkg)
 
-  (define stupid-internal-define-syntax (planet-log "downloading ~a from ~a via planet protocol" 
-                                                    (pkg-spec->string pkg)
-                                                    (PLANET-SERVER-NAME)))
+  (define stupid-internal-define-syntax 
+    (let ([msg (format "downloading ~a from ~a via planet protocol" 
+                       (pkg-spec->string pkg)
+                       (PLANET-SERVER-NAME))])
+      (planet-terse-log 'download (pkg-spec->string pkg))
+      (planet-log msg)))
   
   (define-values (ip op) (tcp-connect (PLANET-SERVER-NAME) (PLANET-SERVER-PORT)))
 
@@ -656,12 +663,14 @@ subdirectory.
       (when (> attempts 5)
         (return "Download failed too many times (possibly due to an unreliable network connection)"))
 
-      (planet-log "downloading ~a from ~a via HTTP~a" 
-                  (pkg-spec->string pkg)
-                  (PLANET-SERVER-NAME)
-                  (if (= attempts 1)
-                      ""
-                      (format ", attempt #~a" attempts)))
+      (let ([msg (format "downloading ~a from ~a via HTTP~a" 
+                         (pkg-spec->string pkg)
+                         (PLANET-SERVER-NAME)
+                         (if (= attempts 1)
+                             ""
+                             (format ", attempt #~a" attempts)))])
+        (planet-terse-log 'download (pkg-spec->string pkg))
+        (planet-log "~a" msg))
 
       (with-handlers ([exn:fail:network? (λ (e) (return (exn-message e)))])
         (let* ([target            (pkg->download-url pkg)]
diff --git a/collects/planet/terse-logger.ss b/collects/planet/terse-logger.ss
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e339ac682e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/collects/planet/terse-logger.ss
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+(module terse-logger '#%kernel
+
+  ;; This file is dynamically loaded by drscheme in a (possibly) 
+  ;; empty namespace (ie possibly no scheme/base module yet)
+  ;; and it is dynamically loaded by the planet resolver.
+  
+  (#%provide planet-terse-register planet-terse-log) 
+  (define-values (terse-log-message-chan) (make-channel))
+  (define-values (terse-log-proc-chan) (make-channel))
+  
+  (thread
+   (lambda ()
+     (letrec-values ([(loop) 
+                      (lambda (procs)
+                        (sync
+                         (handle-evt
+                          terse-log-message-chan
+                          (lambda (msg)
+                            (for-each (lambda (proc) (proc (car msg) (cdr msg))) procs)
+                            (loop procs)))
+                         (handle-evt
+                          terse-log-proc-chan
+                          (lambda (proc) 
+                            (loop (cons proc procs))))))])
+       (loop '()))))
+  
+  (define-values (planet-terse-log)
+    (lambda (id str)
+      (sync (channel-put-evt terse-log-message-chan (cons id str)))))
+  
+  (define-values (planet-terse-register)
+    (lambda (proc)
+      (sync (channel-put-evt terse-log-proc-chan proc)))))
+
diff --git a/collects/planet/util.ss b/collects/planet/util.ss
index d94e7970ee..dd101e4cad 100644
--- a/collects/planet/util.ss
+++ b/collects/planet/util.ss
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
          "private/planet-shared.ss"
          "private/linkage.ss"
          
+         "terse-logger.ss"
+         
          "resolver.ss"
          net/url
          xml/xml
diff --git a/collects/scribblings/framework/frame.scrbl b/collects/scribblings/framework/frame.scrbl
index d59547487b..a4ef62fdf4 100644
--- a/collects/scribblings/framework/frame.scrbl
+++ b/collects/scribblings/framework/frame.scrbl
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
 
     Returns @scheme[#f].
   }
-  @defmethod*[(((get-filename (temp (union |#f| (box boolean?)) |#f|)) (union |#f| path)))]{
+  @defmethod*[(((get-filename (temp (or/c #f (box boolean?)) #f)) (or/c #f path)))]{
     This returns the filename that the frame is currently being saved as,
     or @scheme[#f] if there is no appropriate filename.
 
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
 
 }
 @defmixin[frame:size-pref-mixin (frame:basic<%>) (frame:size-pref<%>)]{
-  @defconstructor[((size-preferences-key symbol?) (label label-string?) (parent (or/c (is-a?/c frame%) false/c) #f) (x (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (y (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (style (listof (one-of/c (quote no-resize-border) (quote no-caption) (quote no-system-menu) (quote hide-menu-bar) (quote mdi-parent) (quote mdi-child) (quote toolbar-button) (quote float) (quote metal))) null) (enabled any/c #t) (border (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (spacing (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (alignment (list/c (one-of/c (quote left) (quote center) (quote right)) (one-of/c (quote top) (quote center) (quote bottom))) (quote (center top))) (min-width (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-width) (min-height (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-height) (stretchable-width any/c #t) (stretchable-height any/c #t))]{
+  @defconstructor[((size-preferences-key symbol?) (label label-string?) (parent (or/c (is-a?/c frame%) false/c) #f) (x (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (y (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (style (listof (or/c (quote no-resize-border) (quote no-caption) (quote no-system-menu) (quote hide-menu-bar) (quote mdi-parent) (quote mdi-child) (quote toolbar-button) (quote float) (quote metal))) null) (enabled any/c #t) (border (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (spacing (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (alignment (list/c (or/c (quote left) (quote center) (quote right)) (or/c (quote top) (quote center) (quote bottom))) (quote (center top))) (min-width (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-width) (min-height (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-height) (stretchable-width any/c #t) (stretchable-height any/c #t))]{
 
     The size @scheme[size-preferences-key] symbol is used with 
     @scheme[preferences:get]
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
     Closes the status line @scheme[id].
 
   }
-  @defmethod*[(((update-status-line (id symbol?) (status (union |#f| string))) void))]{
+  @defmethod*[(((update-status-line (id symbol?) (status (or/c #f string))) void))]{
     Updates the status line named by @scheme[id] with
     @scheme[status]. If @scheme[status] is @scheme[#f], the status
     line is becomes blank (and may be used by other ids).
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
     @method[frame:info<%> set-info-canvas]
 
   }
-  @defmethod*[(((get-info-editor) (union |#f| (is-a?/c editor<%>))))]{
+  @defmethod*[(((get-info-editor) (or/c #f (is-a?/c editor<%>))))]{
     Override this method to specify the editor that the status line
     contains information about.
 
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
     is a
     @scheme[text%], the start and end positions are restored.
   }
-  @defmethod*[(((save (format (union (quote guess) (quote standard) (quote text) (quote text-force-cr) (quote same) (quote copy)) (quote same))) boolean?))]{
+  @defmethod*[(((save (format (or/c (quote guess) (quote standard) (quote text) (quote text-force-cr) (quote same) (quote copy)) (quote same))) boolean?))]{
     Saves the file being edited, possibly calling
     @method[frame:editor<%> save-as]
     if the editor has no filename yet.
@@ -560,7 +560,7 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
     the user is prompted for a new filename) and returns
     @scheme[#t] if not.
   }
-  @defmethod*[(((save-as (format (union (quote guess) (quote standard) (quote text) (quote text-force-cr) (quote same) (quote copy)) (quote same))) boolean?))]{
+  @defmethod*[(((save-as (format (or/c (quote guess) (quote standard) (quote text) (quote text-force-cr) (quote same) (quote copy)) (quote same))) boolean?))]{
     Queries the use for a file name and saves the file with that name.
 
 
@@ -590,10 +590,10 @@ framework)) @(require (for-label scheme/gui)) @(require
   The size of this frame with be either 600 by 650 or 65 less than the
   width and height of the screen, whichever is smaller.
 
-  @defconstructor[((filename string?) (editor% (is-a?/c editor<%>)) (parent (or/c (is-a?/c frame%) false/c) #f) (width (or/c (integer-in 0 10000) false/c) #f) (height (or/c (integer-in 0 10000) false/c) #f) (x (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (y (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (style (listof (one-of/c (quote no-resize-border) (quote no-caption) (quote no-system-menu) (quote hide-menu-bar) (quote mdi-parent) (quote mdi-child) (quote toolbar-button) (quote float) (quote metal))) null) (enabled any/c #t) (border (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (spacing (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (alignment (list/c (one-of/c (quote left) (quote center) (quote right)) (one-of/c (quote top) (quote center) (quote bottom))) (quote (center top))) (min-width (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-width) (min-height (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-height) (stretchable-width any/c #t) (stretchable-height any/c #t))]{
+  @defconstructor[((filename string?) (editor% (is-a?/c editor<%>)) (parent (or/c (is-a?/c frame%) false/c) #f) (width (or/c (integer-in 0 10000) false/c) #f) (height (or/c (integer-in 0 10000) false/c) #f) (x (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (y (or/c (integer-in -10000 10000) false/c) #f) (style (listof (or/c (quote no-resize-border) (quote no-caption) (quote no-system-menu) (quote hide-menu-bar) (quote mdi-parent) (quote mdi-child) (quote toolbar-button) (quote float) (quote metal))) null) (enabled any/c #t) (border (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (spacing (integer-in 0 1000) 0) (alignment (list/c (or/c (quote left) (quote center) (quote right)) (or/c (quote top) (quote center) (quote bottom))) (quote (center top))) (min-width (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-width) (min-height (integer-in 0 10000) graphical-minimum-height) (stretchable-width any/c #t) (stretchable-height any/c #t))]{
 
   }
-  @defmethod*[#:mode override (((get-filename) (union |#f| path)))]{
+  @defmethod*[#:mode override (((get-filename) (or/c #f path)))]{
 
     Returns the filename in the editor returned by
     @method[frame:editor<%> get-editor].