in reply to scalar or sub that can tell me the terminal print offset ?

If your terminal has a VT100 mode, then you can use esc[6n to query the current cursor position.

The device should respond with e[yyy;xxxR; where yyy is the line number on the screen and xxx is the column within the line. (e represent 'escape'.)

How you obtain the report from the terminal without it printing on screen or moving the cursor is a trick I remember solving when I used to use a real VT100.

But the (long faded) memory only tells me I solved it -- not how.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

In Section Seekers of Perl Wisdom