[vox-tech] Debian packager source install

[Alex Mandel]

I know the title isn't quite clear.
Here's the scenario:
I want to install a program that isn't in the package manager for 
Ubuntu. The catch is that it may be soon, so how do I make a .deb (I 
think I've got instructions for this) and then how do I install it so 
that I can easily uninstall or upgrade when it officially comes out in 
the archives?

Here's what I've got so far, does this do what I want?
(Can I get a little explanation on what's going on here?)

sudo apt-get build-dep qgis
apt-get source qgis
cd qgis-0.7.4
dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot

Also will this work for files that I have in a download(VM Server Beta), 
what about an rpm converted with Alien?

Thanks - Alex