def write(self, data):
    """only put to stdout every now and then"""
    self._buffer.append(data)
    self._current_ticks += 1
    # first entry ever will be flushed immediately

    flush=False
    if self._last_flush_time is None or \
                (self._holdback_time is None and self._max_ticks == 0):
      flush = True
    elif self._max_ticks and self._current_ticks >= self._max_ticks or \
         self._holdback_time and time() - self._holdback_time >= self._last_flush_time:
      flush=True

    if flush:
      self.flush()
only put to stdout every now and then