diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/debug.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/debug.ss
index e905c03a11..132a23caa6 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/debug.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/debug.ss
@@ -188,7 +188,8 @@ profile todo:
   (define bug-note% (make-note% "stop-multi.png" (include-bitmap (lib "icons/stop-multi.png") 'png/mask)))
   (define mf-note% (make-note% "mf.gif" (include-bitmap (lib "icons/mf.gif") 'gif)))
   (define file-note% (make-note% "stop-22x22.png" (include-bitmap (lib "icons/stop-22x22.png") 'png/mask)))
-  (define planet-note% (make-note% "small-planet.png" (include-bitmap (lib "icons/small-planet.png") 'png/mask)))
+  (define small-planet-bitmap (include-bitmap (lib "icons/small-planet.png") 'png/mask))
+  (define planet-note% (make-note% "small-planet.png" small-planet-bitmap))
   
   ;; display-stats : (syntax -> syntax)
   ;; count the number of syntax expressions & number of with-continuation-marks in an 
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/drsig.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/drsig.ss
index db4bbb7d27..9511472d18 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/drsig.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/drsig.ss
@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@
      open-and-highlight-in-file
      get-cm-key
      
+     small-planet-bitmap
+     
      ;show-error-and-highlight
      ;print-bug-to-stderr
      ;display-srclocs-in-error
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
index 587609115d..dbd03729e9 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/rep.ss
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ TODO
          ;; 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)
+         planet/terse-info)
 
 (provide rep@ with-stacktrace-name)
 
@@ -1294,7 +1294,7 @@ TODO
                  (initialize-parameters snip-classes)
                  
                  ;; register drscheme with the planet-terse-register for this namespace
-                 ((dynamic-require 'planet/terse-logger 'planet-terse-register)
+                 ((dynamic-require 'planet/terse-info 'planet-terse-register)
                   (lambda (tag package)
                     (parameterize ([current-eventspace drscheme:init:system-eventspace])
                       (queue-callback (λ () (new-planet-info tag package)))))))))
@@ -1463,11 +1463,9 @@ TODO
             (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))))
+          (when frame
+            (send (send frame get-current-tab) new-planet-status tag package))))
       
       
       ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
diff --git a/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss b/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss
index 5ee6629386..e9a33f3842 100644
--- a/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss
+++ b/collects/drscheme/private/unit.ss
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
            mrlib/switchable-button
            mrlib/cache-image-snip
            mrlib/include-bitmap
-           
+           mrlib/close-icon
            net/sendurl
            net/url
            
@@ -1327,6 +1327,20 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
         (define/public-final (update-log)
           (send frame show/hide-log log-visible?))
         
+        (define current-planet-status #f)
+        (define/public-final (new-planet-status a b)
+          (set! current-planet-status (cons a b))
+          (update-planet-status))
+        (define/public-final (clear-planet-status) 
+          (set! current-planet-status #f)
+          (update-planet-status))
+        (define/public-final (update-planet-status)
+          (send frame show-planet-status 
+                (and current-planet-status 
+                     (car current-planet-status))
+                (and current-planet-status 
+                     (cdr current-planet-status))))
+        
         (super-new)))
     
     ;; should only be called by the tab% object (and the class itself)
@@ -1334,7 +1348,8 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
       disable-evaluation-in-tab
       enable-evaluation-in-tab
       update-toolbar-visibility
-      show/hide-log)
+      show/hide-log
+      show-planet-status)
     
     (define -frame<%>
       (interface (drscheme:frame:<%> frame:searchable-text<%> frame:delegate<%> frame:open-here<%>)
@@ -1446,8 +1461,13 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
                  (send logger-parent-panel change-children (lambda (l) (append l (list logger-panel)))))])
             (with-handlers ([exn:fail? void])
               (send logger-parent-panel set-percentages (list p (- 1 p))))
+            (update-logger-button-label)
             (end-container-sequence)))
         
+        (define/private (log-shown?)
+          (and logger-gui-tab-panel
+               (member logger-panel (send logger-parent-panel get-children))))
+        
         (define/private (new-logger-text)
           (set! logger-gui-text (new (text:hide-caret/selection-mixin text:basic%)))
           (send logger-gui-text lock #t))
@@ -1474,6 +1494,78 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
             (send logger-gui-text lock #t)
             (send logger-gui-text end-edit-sequence)))
         
+        ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
+        ;;
+        ;; planet status 
+        ;;
+        ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
+      
+        (define planet-status-parent-panel #f)
+        (define planet-status-panel #f)
+        (define planet-message #f)
+        (define planet-logger-button #f)
+        ;; local-member-name
+        (define/public (show-planet-status tag package)
+          (cond
+            [(and (not tag)
+                  (not package)
+                  (or (not planet-status-parent-panel)
+                      (not (member planet-status-panel (send planet-status-parent-panel get-children)))))
+             ;; if there is no information and there is no GUI there, don't do anything
+             (void)]
+            [else
+             (when planet-status-panel
+               (unless planet-message
+                 (new message% 
+                      [parent planet-status-panel]
+                      [label drscheme:debug:small-planet-bitmap])
+                 (set! planet-message (new message% [parent planet-status-panel] [label ""] [stretchable-width #t]))
+                 (set! planet-logger-button
+                       (new button%
+                            [font small-control-font]
+                            [parent planet-status-panel]
+                            [label (string-constant show-log)]
+                            [callback (λ (a b) (send current-tab toggle-log))]))
+                 (update-logger-button-label)
+                 ;; needs to become that little x thingy that is in the search/replace bar
+                 (new close-icon%
+                      [parent planet-status-panel]
+                      [callback (λ () 
+                                  (send planet-status-parent-panel change-children
+                                        (λ (l)
+                                          (remq planet-status-panel l)))
+                                  (send current-tab clear-planet-status))]))
+               (send planet-message set-label 
+                     (case tag
+                       [(download)
+                        (format (string-constant planet-downloading) package)]
+                       [(install)
+                        (format (string-constant planet-installing) package)]
+                       [(finish)
+                        (format (string-constant planet-finished) package)]
+                       [else
+                        (string-constant planet-no-status)]))
+               (send planet-status-parent-panel change-children
+                     (λ (l)
+                       (if (memq planet-status-panel l)
+                           l
+                           (append (remq planet-status-panel l) (list planet-status-panel))))))]))
+            
+        (define/private (update-logger-button-label)
+          (when planet-logger-button
+            (send planet-logger-button set-label
+                  (if (and logger-gui-text
+                           (member logger-panel (send logger-parent-panel get-children)))
+                      (string-constant hide-log)
+                      (string-constant show-log)))))
+        
+        ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
+        ;;
+        ;; transcript
+        ;;
+        ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
+      
+        
         ;; transcript : (union #f string[directory-name])
         (field [transcript #f]
                [definitions-transcript-counter 0]  ;; number
@@ -1572,30 +1664,37 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
         (define/override (make-root-area-container cls parent)
           (let* ([saved-p (preferences:get 'drscheme:module-browser-size-percentage)]
                  [saved-p2 (preferences:get 'drscheme:logging-size-percentage)]
-                 [outer-panel (super make-root-area-container 
-                                     (make-two-way-prefs-dragable-panel% panel:horizontal-dragable%
-                                                                         'drscheme:module-browser-size-percentage)
-                                     parent)]
+                 [_module-browser-parent-panel
+                  (super make-root-area-container 
+                         (make-two-way-prefs-dragable-panel% panel:horizontal-dragable%
+                                                             'drscheme:module-browser-size-percentage)
+                         parent)]
                  [_module-browser-panel (new vertical-panel%
-                                             (parent outer-panel)
+                                             (parent _module-browser-parent-panel)
                                              (alignment '(left center))
                                              (stretchable-width #f))]
+                 [planet-status-outer-panel (new vertical-panel% [parent _module-browser-parent-panel])]
                  [logger-outer-panel (new (make-two-way-prefs-dragable-panel% panel:vertical-dragable%
                                                                               'drscheme:logging-size-percentage)
-                                          [parent outer-panel]
-                                          [stretchable-height #f])]
-                 [trans-outer-panel (new vertical-panel% [parent logger-outer-panel] [stretchable-height #f])]
+                                          [parent planet-status-outer-panel])]
+                 [trans-outer-panel (new vertical-panel% [parent logger-outer-panel])]
                  [root (make-object cls trans-outer-panel)])
+            (set! module-browser-parent-panel _module-browser-parent-panel)
             (set! module-browser-panel _module-browser-panel)
-            (set! module-browser-parent-panel outer-panel)
-            (send outer-panel change-children (λ (l) (remq module-browser-panel l)))
+            (send module-browser-parent-panel change-children (λ (l) (remq module-browser-panel l)))
             (set! logger-parent-panel logger-outer-panel)
             (set! logger-panel (new vertical-panel% [parent logger-parent-panel]))
             (send logger-parent-panel change-children (lambda (x) (remq logger-panel x)))
             (set! transcript-parent-panel (new horizontal-panel%
-                                            (parent trans-outer-panel)
-                                            (stretchable-height #f)))
+                                               (parent trans-outer-panel)
+                                               (stretchable-height #f)))
             (set! transcript-panel (make-object horizontal-panel% transcript-parent-panel))
+            (set! planet-status-parent-panel (new vertical-panel% 
+                                                  [parent planet-status-outer-panel]
+                                                  [stretchable-height #f]))
+            (set! planet-status-panel (new horizontal-panel% 
+                                           [parent planet-status-parent-panel]))
+            (send planet-status-parent-panel change-children (λ (l) (remq planet-status-panel l)))
             (unless (toolbar-shown?)
               (send transcript-parent-panel change-children (λ (l) '())))
             (preferences:set 'drscheme:module-browser-size-percentage saved-p)
@@ -2596,6 +2695,7 @@ module browser threading seems wrong.
             (update-running (send current-tab is-running?))
             (on-tab-change old-tab current-tab)
             (send tab update-log)
+            (send tab update-planet-status)
             
             (restore-visible-tab-regions)
             (for-each (λ (defs-canvas) (send defs-canvas refresh))
diff --git a/collects/planet/planet.scrbl b/collects/planet/planet.scrbl
index 1f740ba79e..e2f312901f 100644
--- a/collects/planet/planet.scrbl
+++ b/collects/planet/planet.scrbl
@@ -602,6 +602,28 @@ context of a package. The others are convenience macros that
 select out the relevant field, or return @scheme[#f] if the expression
 appears outside the context of a PLaneT package.}
 
+@subsection{Terse Status Updates}
+
+@defmodule[planet/terse-info]
+
+This module provides access to some PLaneT status information. This
+module is first loaded by PLaneT in the initial namespace (when
+PLaneT's resolver is loaded), but PLaneT uses @scheme[dynamic-require] to load
+this module each time it wants to announce information. Similarly, the
+state of which procedures are registered (via @scheme[planet-terse-register]) 
+is saved in the namespace, making the listening and information producing
+namespace-specific.
+
+@defproc[(planet-terse-register [proc (-> (or/c 'download 'install 'finish) string? any/c)]) void?]{
+Registers @scheme[proc] as a function to be called when
+@scheme[planet-terse-log] is called. Note that @scheme[proc] is called 
+asynchronously (ie, on some thread other than the one calling @scheme[planet-terse-register]).
+}
+
+@defproc[(planet-terse-log [id (or/c 'download 'install 'finish)] [msg string?]) void?]{
+  This function is called by PLaneT to announce when things are happening.
+}
+
 @section{Developing Packages for PLaneT}
 
 To put a package on PLaneT, or release an upgrade to an
diff --git a/collects/planet/resolver.ss b/collects/planet/resolver.ss
index 6aaf533094..74d1f92e26 100644
--- a/collects/planet/resolver.ss
+++ b/collects/planet/resolver.ss
@@ -191,7 +191,9 @@ subdirectory.
          "config.ss"
          "private/planet-shared.ss"
          "private/linkage.ss"
-         "parsereq.ss")
+         "parsereq.ss"
+         
+         (prefix x: "terse-info.ss")) ;; just to make the link static; this is actually loaded with dynamic-require
 
 (provide (rename resolver planet-module-name-resolver)
          resolve-planet-path
@@ -211,7 +213,10 @@ subdirectory.
 ;; 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))
+  (let ([planet-terse-log
+         (with-handlers ((exn:fail? void))     ;; if the dynamic-require fails, we just don't log anything
+           (dynamic-require 'planet/terse-info 'planet-terse-log))])
+    (planet-terse-log id str)))
 
 ;; =============================================================================
 ;; DIAMOND PROPERTY STUFF
@@ -552,6 +557,7 @@ subdirectory.
                                          'install-planet-package)])
                (ipp path the-dir (list owner (pkg-spec-name pkg)
                                        extra-path maj min))))))
+        (planet-terse-log 'finish (pkg-spec->string pkg))
         (make-pkg (pkg-spec-name pkg) (pkg-spec-path pkg)
                   maj min the-dir 'normal)))))
 
@@ -730,13 +736,19 @@ subdirectory.
 ;; formats the pkg-spec back into a string the way the user typed it in.
 ;; assumes that the pkg-spec comes from the command-line
 (define (pkg-spec->string pkg)
-  (format "'~a ~a ~a ~a'"
+  (format "~a/~a~a~a"
           (if (pair? (pkg-spec-path pkg))
               (car (pkg-spec-path pkg))
               "<<unknown>>") ;; this shouldn't happen
-          (pkg-spec-name pkg)
-          (pkg-spec-maj pkg)
-          (pkg-spec-minor-lo pkg)))
+          (regexp-replace #rx"\\.plt$" (pkg-spec-name pkg) "")
+          (if (pkg-spec-maj pkg) 
+              (format ":~a" (pkg-spec-maj pkg))
+              "")
+          (cond
+            [(and (pkg-spec-maj pkg)
+                  (pkg-spec-minor-lo pkg))
+             (format ".~a" (pkg-spec-minor-lo pkg))]
+            [else ""])))
   
 ;; =============================================================================
 ;; MODULE MANAGEMENT
diff --git a/collects/planet/terse-logger.ss b/collects/planet/terse-info.ss
similarity index 97%
rename from collects/planet/terse-logger.ss
rename to collects/planet/terse-info.ss
index e339ac682e..b4ca3d05de 100644
--- a/collects/planet/terse-logger.ss
+++ b/collects/planet/terse-info.ss
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-(module terse-logger '#%kernel
+(module terse-info '#%kernel
 
   ;; This file is dynamically loaded by drscheme in a (possibly) 
   ;; empty namespace (ie possibly no scheme/base module yet)
diff --git a/collects/planet/util.ss b/collects/planet/util.ss
index dd101e4cad..d94e7970ee 100644
--- a/collects/planet/util.ss
+++ b/collects/planet/util.ss
@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@
          "private/planet-shared.ss"
          "private/linkage.ss"
          
-         "terse-logger.ss"
-         
          "resolver.ss"
          net/url
          xml/xml
diff --git a/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss b/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss
index e7bd189452..86f0485563 100644
--- a/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss
+++ b/collects/string-constants/english-string-constants.ss
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ please adhere to these guidelines:
  (erase-log-directory-contents "Erase contents of log directory: ~a?")
  (error-erasing-log-directory "Error erasing log directory contents.\n\n~a\n")
 
-  ;; menu items connected to the logger
+  ;; menu items connected to the logger -- also in a button in the planet status line in the drs frame
   (show-log "Show &Log")
   (hide-log "Hide &Log")
   (logging-all "All") ;; in the logging window in drscheme, shows all logs simultaneously
@@ -1177,7 +1177,7 @@ please adhere to these guidelines:
  (module-browser-progress "Module Browser: ~a") ;; prefix in the status line
  (module-browser-compiling-defns "Module Browser: compiling definitions")
  (module-browser-show-lib-paths/short "Follow lib requires") ;; check box label in show module browser pane in drscheme window.
- (module-browser-show-planet-paths/short "Follow planet requires") ;; check box label in show module browser pane in drscheme window.
+ (module-browser-show-planet-paths/short "Follow PLaneT requires") ;; check box label in show module browser pane in drscheme window.
  (module-browser-refresh "Refresh") ;; button label in show module browser pane in drscheme window.
  (module-browser-only-in-plt-and-module-langs
   "The module browser is only available for programs in the PLT languages and in the module language (and only for programs that have modules in them).")
@@ -1435,6 +1435,11 @@ please adhere to these guidelines:
   (bug-track-forget "Forget")
   (bug-track-forget-all "Forget All")
     
+  ;; planet status messages in the bottom of the drscheme window; the ~a is filled with the name of the package
+  (planet-downloading "PLaneT: Downloading ~a...")
+  (planet-installing "PLaneT: Installing ~a...")
+  (planet-finished "PLaneT: Finished with ~a.")
+  (planet-no-status "PLaneT") ;; this can happen when there is status shown in a different and then the user switches to a tab where planet hasn't been used
   
   ;; string normalization. To see this, paste some text with a ligature into DrScheme
   ;; the first three strings are in the dialog that appears. The last one is in the preferences dialog