diff --git a/bin/synchronize-private.sh b/bin/synchronize-private.sh
index 5815bade3a..de98130bbf 100755
--- a/bin/synchronize-private.sh
+++ b/bin/synchronize-private.sh
@@ -833,20 +833,6 @@ ARRAY+=(forward/ft_estimate_units.m)
 ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_estimate_units.m)
 sync ${ARRAY[*]}
 
-################################################################################
-# ft_error.m, should be consistent with ft_notification and ft_warning
-
-ARRAY=()
-ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_error.m)
-ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_error.m)
-sync ${ARRAY[*]}
-
 ################################################################################
 # ft_fetch_data.m
 
@@ -1040,7 +1026,7 @@ ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_inv.m)
 sync ${ARRAY[*]}
 
 ################################################################################
-# ft_notification.m, should be consistent with ft_warning and ft_error
+# ft_notification.m, should be consistent with ft_warning etc
 
 ARRAY=()
 ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_notification.m)
@@ -1053,6 +1039,61 @@ ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_notification.m)
 ARRAY+=(utilities/private/ft_notification.m)
 sync ${ARRAY[*]}
 
+ARRAY=()
+ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_warning.m)
+ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_warning.m)
+sync ${ARRAY[*]}
+
+ARRAY=()
+ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_error.m)
+ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_error.m)
+sync ${ARRAY[*]}
+
+ARRAY=()
+ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_notice.m)
+ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_notice.m)
+sync ${ARRAY[*]}
+
+ARRAY=()
+ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_info.m)
+ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_info.m)
+sync ${ARRAY[*]}
+
+ARRAY=()
+ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_debug.m)
+ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_debug.m)
+sync ${ARRAY[*]}
+
 ################################################################################
 # ft_platform_supports.m
 
@@ -1148,20 +1189,6 @@ ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_version.m)
 ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_version.m)
 sync ${ARRAY[*]}
 
-################################################################################
-# ft_warning.m, should be consistent with ft_notification and ft_error
-
-ARRAY=()
-ARRAY+=(connectivity/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(fileio/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(forward/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(inverse/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(plotting/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(preproc/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(specest/private/ft_warning.m)
-ARRAY+=(utilities/ft_warning.m)
-sync ${ARRAY[*]}
-
 ################################################################################
 # ft_warp_apply.m
 
diff --git a/connectivity/private/ft_debug.m b/connectivity/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/connectivity/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/connectivity/private/ft_info.m b/connectivity/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/connectivity/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/connectivity/private/ft_notice.m b/connectivity/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/connectivity/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/connectivity/private/ft_version.m b/connectivity/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/connectivity/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/connectivity/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/fileio/private/ft_debug.m b/fileio/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fileio/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/fileio/private/ft_info.m b/fileio/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fileio/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/fileio/private/ft_notice.m b/fileio/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fileio/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/fileio/private/ft_version.m b/fileio/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/fileio/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/fileio/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/forward/private/ft_debug.m b/forward/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forward/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/forward/private/ft_info.m b/forward/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forward/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/forward/private/ft_notice.m b/forward/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/forward/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/forward/private/ft_version.m b/forward/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/forward/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/forward/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/inverse/private/ft_debug.m b/inverse/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/inverse/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/inverse/private/ft_info.m b/inverse/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/inverse/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/inverse/private/ft_notice.m b/inverse/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/inverse/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/inverse/private/ft_version.m b/inverse/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/inverse/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/inverse/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/plotting/private/ft_debug.m b/plotting/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plotting/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/plotting/private/ft_info.m b/plotting/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plotting/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/plotting/private/ft_notice.m b/plotting/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plotting/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/plotting/private/ft_version.m b/plotting/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/plotting/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/plotting/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/preproc/private/ft_debug.m b/preproc/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/preproc/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/preproc/private/ft_info.m b/preproc/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/preproc/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/preproc/private/ft_notice.m b/preproc/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/preproc/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/preproc/private/ft_version.m b/preproc/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/preproc/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/preproc/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/specest/private/ft_debug.m b/specest/private/ft_debug.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..67df14615b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/specest/private/ft_debug.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_debug(varargin)
+
+% FT_DEBUG prints a debug message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_debug(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_debug(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_debug off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_debug on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_debug timeout 60
+%   ft_debug once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_debug once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_debug last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_debug query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/specest/private/ft_info.m b/specest/private/ft_info.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..835a2fbf39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/specest/private/ft_info.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_info(varargin)
+
+% FT_INFO prints an info message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_info(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_info(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_info off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_info on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_info timeout 60
+%   ft_info once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_info once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_info last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_info query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/specest/private/ft_notice.m b/specest/private/ft_notice.m
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09df9ea51c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/specest/private/ft_notice.m
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+function varargout = ft_notice(varargin)
+
+% FT_NOTICE prints a notice message on screen, depending on the verbosity 
+% settings of the calling high-level FieldTrip function.
+%
+% Use as
+%   ft_notice(...)
+% with arguments similar to fprintf, or
+%   ft_notice(msgId, ...)
+% with arguments similar to warning.
+%
+% You can switch of all messages using
+%   ft_notice off
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice off msgId
+%
+% To switch them back on, you would use 
+%   ft_notice on
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice on msgId
+% 
+% Messages are only printed once per timeout period using
+%   ft_notice timeout 60
+%   ft_notice once
+% or for specific ones using
+%   ft_notice once msgId
+%
+% You can see the most recent messages and identifier using
+%   ft_notice last
+%
+% You can query the current on/off/once state for all messages using
+%   ft_notice query
+%
+% See also FT_ERROR, FT_WARNING, FT_NOTICE, FT_INFO, FT_DEBUG, ERROR, WARNING
+
+% Copyright (C) 2017, Robert Oostenveld
+%
+% This file is part of FieldTrip, see http://www.fieldtriptoolbox.org
+% for the documentation and details.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 3 of the License, or
+%    (at your option) any later version.
+%
+%    FieldTrip 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 FieldTrip. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+%
+% $Id$
+
+if nargout
+  [varargout{1:nargout}] = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+elseif isequal(varargin, {'last'})
+  % return an answer anyway
+  varargout{1} = ft_notification(varargin{:});
+else
+  ft_notification(varargin{:});
+end
+
diff --git a/specest/private/ft_version.m b/specest/private/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/specest/private/ft_version.m
+++ b/specest/private/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end
diff --git a/utilities/ft_version.m b/utilities/ft_version.m
index c0254f9afc..d1c1fd5579 100644
--- a/utilities/ft_version.m
+++ b/utilities/ft_version.m
@@ -157,8 +157,13 @@
 else
   % get it from the Contents.m file in the FieldTrip directory
   if ~isdeployed
-    tmp = ver(ftpath);
-    ftver = tmp.Version;
+    try
+      tmp = ver(ftpath);
+      ftver = tmp.Version;
+    catch
+      % this fails when Contents.m is not properly formatted
+      ftver = 'unknown';
+    end
   else
     ftver = 'deployed';
   end