diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index a0bf1ec..8a9c13f 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ CHIP_OBJS = jedec.o stm50flw0x0x.o w39v080fa.o sharplhf00l04.o w29ee011.o \
 
 LIB_OBJS = layout.o
 
-CLI_OBJS = flashrom.o cli_classic.o print.o
+CLI_OBJS = flashrom.o cli_classic.o cli_output.o print.o
 
 PROGRAMMER_OBJS = udelay.o programmer.o
 
diff --git a/cli_classic.c b/cli_classic.c
index df17486..d3e7a15 100644
--- a/cli_classic.c
+++ b/cli_classic.c
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ int cli_classic(int argc, char *argv[])
 			chip_to_probe = strdup(optarg);
 			break;
 		case 'V':
-			verbose = 1;
+			verbose++;
 			break;
 		case 'E':
 			if (++operation_specified > 1) {
diff --git a/cli_output.c b/cli_output.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ced043
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli_output.c
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * This file is part of the flashrom project.
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2009 Sean Nelson <audiohacked@gmail.com>
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301 USA
+ */
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdarg.h>
+#include "flash.h"
+
+int print(int type, const char *fmt, ...)
+{
+	va_list ap;
+	int ret;
+	FILE *output_type;
+	
+	switch (type)
+	{
+	case MSG_ERROR:
+		output_type = stderr;
+		break;
+	case MSG_BARF:
+		if (verbose < 2) return 0;
+	case MSG_DEBUG:
+		if (verbose < 1) return 0;
+	case MSG_INFO:
+	default:
+		output_type = stdout;
+		break;
+	}
+	
+	va_start(ap, fmt);
+	ret = vfprintf(output_type, fmt, ap);
+	va_end(ap);
+	return ret;
+}
+
diff --git a/flash.h b/flash.h
index 648dc83..027392f 100644
--- a/flash.h
+++ b/flash.h
@@ -504,6 +504,25 @@ int doit(struct flashchip *flash, int force, char *filename, int read_it, int wr
 #define OK 0
 #define NT 1    /* Not tested */
 
+/* cli_output.c */
+int print(int type, const char *fmt, ...);
+#define MSG_ERROR 0
+#define MSG_INFO 1
+#define MSG_DEBUG 2
+#define MSG_BARF 3
+#define msg_gerr(x) print(MSG_ERROR, x) /* general errors */
+#define msg_perr(x) print(MSG_ERROR, x) /* programmer errors */
+#define msg_cerr(x) print(MSG_ERROR, x) /* chip errors */
+#define msg_ginfo(x) print(MSG_INFO, x) /* general info */
+#define msg_pinfo(x) print(MSG_INFO, x) /* programmer info */
+#define msg_cinfo(x) print(MSG_INFO, x) /* chip info */
+#define msg_gdbg(x) print(MSG_DEBUG, x) /* general debug */
+#define msg_pdbg(x) print(MSG_DEBUG, x) /* programmer debug */
+#define msg_cdbg(x) print(MSG_DEBUG, x) /* chip debug */
+#define msg_gspew(x) print(MSG_BARF, x) /* general debug barf  */
+#define msg_pspew(x) print(MSG_BARF, x) /* programmer debug barf  */
+#define msg_cspew(x) print(MSG_BARF, x) /* chip debug barf  */
+
 /* cli_classic.c */
 int cli_classic(int argc, char *argv[]);
 
