title: Writing to linux console without using printk
body: <p>This may be a stupid question, but is there a way to write to the linux console from within a driver without using printk (i.e. syslog)?  </p>
  
  <p>For instance, working in a linux driver, I need to output a single character as an event happens.  I'd like to output 'w' as an write event starts, and a 'W' when it finishes.  This happens frequently, so sending that through syslog isn't ideal.</p>
  
  <p>Ideally, it would be great if I could just do the equivalent of printf("W") or putc('W') and have that simply go out the default console.</p>
  
  <p>TIA
  Mike</p>