static void print_append(StringBuffer buf, S s, int max) {
  synchronized(buf) {
    buf.append(s);
    max /= 2;
    if (buf.length() > max) try {
      int newLength = max/2;
      int ofs = buf.length()-newLength;
      S newString = buf.substring(ofs);
      buf.setLength(0);
      buf.append("[...] ").append(newString);
    } catch (Exception e) {
      buf.setLength(0);
    }
  }
}