title: Installing python into a portable, self-contained directory on the network
body: <p>I need to install python 2.7 and 3.4 for linux/unix (built from source) into a directory on the network other than the location from which it will ultimately be used. </p>
  
  <p>I.e. the directory containing the installation must be portable and self-contained. </p>
  
  <p>Thus, it seems like things such as the "installation-dependent default" sys.path should be defined relative to the current location of the python installation.</p>
  
  <p>However, --prefix and --exec_prefix require absolute paths.</p>
  
  <p>For example: 
  I might create the installation in "/stage/tools/python", then copy the "python" directory to "/tools/knights/ni". If I then invoke "/tools/knights/ni/$platform/bin/python", python should find everything it needs from its installation under "/tools/knights/ni/"</p>
  
  <p>How can I do a portable, self-contained install?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks much for any guidance.</p>