How do I run a user account from an external HD?

How do I run a user account from an external HD? I will be away from my desktop iMac and want to use our MacBook Pro overseas for two months with my iMac user account copied to an external drive.

1. WARNING: This procedure is for advanced users only. Some third-party software may not work as expected, or may not work at all, if the home folder is moved.
2. Back up all data.
3. Copy your home folder to the desired location, which must be on a volume of type "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with file ownership enabled, as shown in the Finder Info dialog. Encryption is optional. The volume must be on a local storage device, not on the network, and it must be mounted automatically at startup — before any user logs in. A disk image will not work.
The name of your home folder is your short user name. Do not rename it. Do not copy the "Users" folder.
5. Select
 ▹ System Preferences ▹ Users & Groups
Click the lock icon and authenticate. Right-click or control-click your name in the account list, and select Advanced options from the popup menu. In the sheet that opens, change the location of the home directory. Log out and log back in.
6. Test. If you have problems, reverse the above steps. If you got this far, you should have no trouble doing that. If everything works as you expect, delete the original home folder.

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