Check out 
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PackagingGuide/Basic?action=show&redirect=HowToBuildDebianPackagesFromScratch 
and http://www.debian.org/doc/maint-guide/index.en.html

The basic procedure is:
* Download the latest tarball
* Apply the patches from either Debian or Ubuntu (usually I do Ubuntu 
but you can try the Debian ones since you're concerned about stability, 
etc.)
* run dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot
* Check for errors, etc.

-Mike

chip33az@netscape.net wrote:
> I have a question about compiling packages on Debian.
>
> I would like to move back to Etch since I feel it is more stable (and 
> for some reason the networking is faster) than my current Gutsy install.
>
> Most of the programs I can use the default Etch with no issues, but 
> there are some I would like to either install myself or compile myself. 
>
> For example, I would like the latest GNUCash (helping me with my 
> accounting class) and Iceweasel and Icedove.
>
> Any issues with installing/compiling these?  I have used Debian for a 
> long time, but typically just do the apt-get/aptitude route.
>
> Thanks for any guidance.
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