<p>+1 for using symlinks where possible. In deploying Python to different operating systems and filesystems I've often had to run a script to "fix" the hardlinking done by make install because the deployment mechanism or system couldn't be trusted to do the right thing with respect to minimising installation size. Symlinks are total win when disk use is a concern, and make intent clear. I'm not aware of any mainstream systems that don't support them. </p>