diff --git a/morituri/configure/configure.py b/morituri/configure/configure.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a38329
--- /dev/null
+++ b/morituri/configure/configure.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# -*- Mode: Python -*-
+# vi:si:et:sw=4:sts=4:ts=4
+
+'''
+configure-time variables for installed or uninstalled operation
+
+Code should run
+    >>> from morituri.configure import configure
+
+and then access the variables from the configure module.  For example:
+    >>> print configure.version
+
+@var  isinstalled: whether an installed version is being run
+@type isinstalled: boolean
+
+@var  version:     morituri version number
+@type version:     string
+'''
+
+import os
+
+# where am I on the disk ?
+__thisdir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+
+if os.path.exists(os.path.join(__thisdir, 'uninstalled.py')):
+    from morituri.configure import uninstalled
+    config_dict = uninstalled.get()
+else:
+    from morituri.configure import installed
+    config_dict = installed.get()
+
+for key, value in config_dict.items():
+    dictionary = locals()
+    dictionary[key] = value