diff --git a/compiler/example_config_freepdk45.py b/compiler/example_config_freepdk45.py
index ecd5063c..bb739621 100644
--- a/compiler/example_config_freepdk45.py
+++ b/compiler/example_config_freepdk45.py
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ num_banks = 1
 
 tech_name = "freepdk45"
 
+output_path = "/tmp/mysram"
+output_name = "sram_2_16_1_freepdk45"
+
 decoder = "hierarchical_decoder"
 ms_flop = "ms_flop"
 ms_flop_array = "ms_flop_array"
diff --git a/compiler/example_config_scn3me_subm.py b/compiler/example_config_scn3me_subm.py
index d7618847..478b4525 100644
--- a/compiler/example_config_scn3me_subm.py
+++ b/compiler/example_config_scn3me_subm.py
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ num_banks = 1
 
 tech_name = "scn3me_subm"
 
+output_path = "/tmp/mysram"
+output_name = "sram_2_16_1_scn3me_subm"
+
 decoder = "hierarchical_decoder"
 ms_flop = "ms_flop"
 ms_flop_array = "ms_flop_array"
diff --git a/compiler/globals.py b/compiler/globals.py
index 74a81318..b40994e8 100644
--- a/compiler/globals.py
+++ b/compiler/globals.py
@@ -14,12 +14,17 @@ import importlib
 # Current version of OpenRAM.
 VERSION = "1.0"
 
-
-USAGE = "usage: openram.py [options] <config file>\n"
+USAGE = "Usage: openram.py [options] <config file>\nUse -h for help.\n"
 
 # Anonymous object that will be the options
 OPTS = options.options()
 
+# check that we are not using version 3 and at least 2.7
+major_python_version = sys.version_info.major
+minor_python_version = sys.version_info.minor
+if not (major_python_version == 2 and minor_python_version >= 7):
+    debug.error("Python 2.7 is required.",-1)
+
 def is_exe(fpath):
     return os.path.exists(fpath) and os.access(fpath, os.X_OK)
 
@@ -34,11 +39,11 @@ def parse_args():
 
     option_list = {
         optparse.make_option("-b", "--backannotated", action="store_true", dest="run_pex",
-                             help="back annotated simulation for characterizer"),
-        optparse.make_option("-o", "--output", dest="out_name",
-                             help="Base output file name.", metavar="FILE"),
-        optparse.make_option("-p", "--outpath", dest="out_path",
-                             help="output file location."),
+                             help="Back annotate simulation"),
+        optparse.make_option("-o", "--output", dest="output_name",
+                             help="Base output file name(s) prefix", metavar="FILE"),
+        optparse.make_option("-p", "--outpath", dest="output_path",
+                             help="Output file(s) location"),
         optparse.make_option("-n", "--nocheck", action="store_false",
                              help="Disable inline LVS/DRC checks", dest="check_lvsdrc"),
         optparse.make_option("-q", "--quiet", action="store_false", dest="print_banner",
@@ -102,9 +107,9 @@ def init_openram(config_file):
     debug.info(1,"Initializing OpenRAM...")
 
     setup_paths()
-
-    read_config(config_file)
     
+    read_config(config_file)
+
     import_tech()
 
     set_spice()
@@ -125,6 +130,18 @@ def read_config(config_file):
     except:
         debug.error("Unable to read configuration file: {0}".format(OPTS.config_file+".py. Did you specify the technology?"),2)
 
+    # This path must be setup after the config file.
+    try:
+        # If path not set on command line, try config file.
+        if OPTS.output_path=="":
+            OPTS.output_path=OPTS.config.output_path
+    except:
+        # Default to current directory.
+        OPTS.output_path="."
+    if not OPTS.output_path.endswith('/'):
+        OPTS.output_path += "/"
+    debug.info(1, "Output saved in " + OPTS.output_path)
+        
 
 def set_calibre():
     debug.info(2,"Finding calibre...")
@@ -205,16 +222,11 @@ def setup_paths():
     # Don't delete the output dir, it may have other files!
     # make the directory if it doesn't exist
     try:
-        os.makedirs(OPTS.out_path, 0750)
+        os.makedirs(OPTS.output_path, 0750)
     except OSError as e:
         if e.errno == 17:  # errno.EEXIST
-            os.chmod(OPTS.out_path, 0750)
+            os.chmod(OPTS.output_path, 0750)
     
-    if OPTS.out_path=="":
-        OPTS.out_path="."
-    if not OPTS.out_path.endswith('/'):
-        OPTS.out_path += "/"
-    debug.info(1, "Output saved in " + OPTS.out_path)
 
 
 def set_spice():
diff --git a/compiler/openram.py b/compiler/openram.py
index f9f6e2f4..69ab7f4e 100755
--- a/compiler/openram.py
+++ b/compiler/openram.py
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ word_size = OPTS.config.word_size
 num_words = OPTS.config.num_words
 num_banks = OPTS.config.num_banks
 
-if (OPTS.out_name == ""):
-    OPTS.out_name = "sram_{0}_{1}_{2}_{3}".format(word_size,
+if (OPTS.output_name == ""):
+    OPTS.output_name = "sram_{0}_{1}_{2}_{3}".format(word_size,
                                                   num_words,
                                                   num_banks,
                                                   OPTS.tech_name)
 
-debug.info(1, "Output file is " + OPTS.out_name + ".(sp|gds|v|lib|lef)")
+debug.info(1, "Output file is " + OPTS.output_name + ".(sp|gds|v|lib|lef)")
 
 print "Technology: %s" % (OPTS.tech_name)
 print "Word size: {0}\nWords: {1}\nBanks: {2}".format(word_size,num_words,num_banks)
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ print "Start: ", datetime.datetime.now()
 s = sram.sram(word_size=word_size,
               num_words=num_words,
               num_banks=num_banks,
-              name=OPTS.out_name)
+              name=OPTS.output_name)
 
 # Measure design area
 # Not working?
@@ -83,36 +83,36 @@ s = sram.sram(word_size=word_size,
 
 # Output the files for the resulting SRAM
 
-spname = OPTS.out_path + s.name + ".sp"
+spname = OPTS.output_path + s.name + ".sp"
 print "SP: Writing to {0}".format(spname)
 s.sp_write(spname)
 
-gdsname = OPTS.out_path + s.name + ".gds"
+gdsname = OPTS.output_path + s.name + ".gds"
 print "GDS: Writing to {0}".format(gdsname)
 s.gds_write(gdsname)
 
 # Run Characterizer on the design
 sram_file = spname
 if OPTS.use_pex:
-    sram_file = OPTS.out_path + "temp_pex.sp"
+    sram_file = OPTS.output_path + "temp_pex.sp"
     calibre.run_pex(s.name, gdsname, spname, output=sram_file)
 
 
 # geenrate verilog
 import verilog
-vname = OPTS.out_path + s.name + ".v"
+vname = OPTS.output_path + s.name + ".v"
 print "Verilog: Writing to {0}".format(vname)
 verilog.verilog(vname,s)
 
 # generate LEF
 import lef
-lefname = OPTS.out_path + s.name + ".lef"
+lefname = OPTS.output_path + s.name + ".lef"
 print "LEF: Writing to {0}".format(lefname)
 lef.lef(gdsname,lefname,s)
 
 # generate lib
 import lib
-libname = OPTS.out_path + s.name + ".lib"
+libname = OPTS.output_path + s.name + ".lib"
 print "LIB: Writing to {0}".format(libname)
 lib.lib(libname,s,sram_file)
 
diff --git a/compiler/options.py b/compiler/options.py
index 670517e0..ae3b2bf6 100644
--- a/compiler/options.py
+++ b/compiler/options.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class options(optparse.Values):
     # Trim noncritical memory cells for simulation speed-up
     trim_noncritical = False
     # Define the output file paths
-    out_path = ""
+    output_path = ""
     # Define the output file base name
-    out_name = ""
+    output_name = ""
     analytical_delay = False
diff --git a/compiler/tests/config_20_freepdk45.py b/compiler/tests/config_20_freepdk45.py
index 1217a677..01b397c2 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/config_20_freepdk45.py
+++ b/compiler/tests/config_20_freepdk45.py
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ num_banks = 1
 
 tech_name = "freepdk45"
 
+# Optional, will be over-ridden on command line.
+output_path = "/tmp/mysram"
+output_name = "sram_2_16_1_freepdk45"
+
 decoder = "hierarchical_decoder"
 ms_flop = "ms_flop"
 ms_flop_array = "ms_flop_array"
diff --git a/compiler/tests/config_20_scn3me_subm.py b/compiler/tests/config_20_scn3me_subm.py
index d7618847..7de9d27d 100644
--- a/compiler/tests/config_20_scn3me_subm.py
+++ b/compiler/tests/config_20_scn3me_subm.py
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ num_banks = 1
 
 tech_name = "scn3me_subm"
 
+# Optional, will be over-ridden on command line.
+output_path = "/tmp/mysram"
+output_name = "sram_2_16_1_scn3me_subm"
+
 decoder = "hierarchical_decoder"
 ms_flop = "ms_flop"
 ms_flop_array = "ms_flop_array"