fun text=(v: String)
	do
		# do not redraw the samething
		var last_text = last_text
		if last_text != null and last_text == v then return

		clear
		return_home
		var count = 0
		for c in v.chars do
			if c == '\n' then
				# FIXME, this should work
				#write(true, "C0".to_hex)
				# instead we use the following which may not be portable

				for s in [count..40[ do write(false, ' '.code_point)
				count = 0
			else
				write(false, c.code_point)
				count += 1
			end
		end

		self.last_text = v
	end