title: How can I correctly install multiple non-package Distribute/virtualenv/pip ecosystems on Ubuntu?
body: <p>I am developing Python applications in Ubuntu. I want to setup a <a href="http://guide.python-distribute.org/introduction.html#creating-a-micro-ecosystem-with-virtualenv" rel="noreferrer">Distribute/virtualenv/pip ecosystem</a> to manage my Python packages independently of any system Python packages (which I manage in Synaptic, or rather I let the system manage them for me).</p>
  
  <p>I could just install the python-setuptools, python-virtualenv and python-pip system packages and be on my merry way, but I also want to be able to get latest/specific versions of Distribute, virtualenv and pip. There are no PPAs for these, so I'll have to install them manually.</p>
  
  <p>A final complication, is that I want to be able to do this for multiple versions of Python. That is, set up one ecosystem for python2.6, another for python, another for python3, or on a 64-bit system another for <a href="http://blog.mfabrik.com/2010/08/03/running-32-bit-chroot-on-64-bit-ubuntu-server-to-reduce-python-memory-usage/" rel="noreferrer">chrooted 32-bit Python</a>.</p>
  
  <p>I'm guessing that the process would be something like:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Using Python X install my own copy of Distribute to a location in my home folder</li>
  <li>Using indie Distribute, easy_install pip</li>
  <li>Using indie pip, install virtualenv</li>
  <li>Using indie virtualenv, create virtual environment</li>
  <li>Activate virtual environment, install packages</li>
  <li>Repeat for Python Y, Z and Q</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>What installation/configuration options am I looking for?</p>