Actually, there's an easier way:
apt-get checkinstall
checkinstall is run as root after you've done your ./configure and make,
and in place of the make install command. It creates a .deb file and
also installs it for you. Be sure to read the man page for it -- there's
a lot of options to help you customize the package.
--Matthew
$apt-get install checkinstall ;-) love, iain