How do I install OSHIP on Linux (specifically Gentoo) with a dedicated Python?

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These instructions are out of date. OSHIP now requires Python 2.6.x Please see the installation instructions at:
http://www.oship.org/installation/
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Description: This How-to explains how to install OSHIP using a completely separate and dedicated python. A dedicated python provides a nice and clean foundation that helps to eliminate Linux distro specific peculiarities.

** You can also get OSHIP without having a Launchpad login. See note below. **

** OSHIP REQUIRES Python 2.5.x **

** OS-specific installation notes **
This How-to explains how to install on Gentoo Linux, however the only Gentoo specific part is installing bzr. These directions should work for any Linux distro. I have tested these steps on Linux (Gentoo 2009) and they worked for me.
I would appreciate some feedback if you find any problems with them.
** OS-specific installation notes **

** Let's install bzr, on Gentoo:
sudo emerge bzr
** on Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt-get install bzr

** Instead of using the python that was installed by portage we'll be installing our own separate python from source

cd ~
wget http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.5.4/Python-2.5.4.tgz
tar xvzf Python-2.5.4.tgz
cd Python-2.5.4
./configure --prefix=/home/user/mypython2.5.4 --exec-prefix=/home/user/mypython2.5.4
make
make altinstall

** Next steps, install easy_install & virtualenv

cd /home/user/mypython2.5.4/bin
wget http://peak.telecommunity.com/dist/ez_setup.py
./python2.5 ez_setup.py
./easy_install virtualenv

cd /home/user
mypython2.5.4/bin/virtualenv --no-site-packages oshipenv

cd oshipenv
source bin/activate
bzr branch lp:oship

**NOTE: If you do not have a Launchpad login then you should use 'bzr co lp:oship' instead of 'bzr branch lp:oship'
**This will allow you to try it out but not create your own branch or commit back to the project.

cd oship/oship
python bootstrap.py
bin/buildout
bin/oship-ctl fg

In your web browser go to http://localhost:8080
Login with the defaults:
user = admin
password = admin

*NOTE: You can execute bin/zpasswd to change these defaults and select the encryption method later.

You'll see the <add application page>;
type 'oship' (without quotes) into the oship.app.oship box and click the
"Create"-button.

Then, click on the oship (oship) link.
Read the instructions and click on the setup link.
You'll then be redirected back to the main page http://localhost:8080/oship.

The remaining instructions are there.