I sometimes find I need to build applications from source for use on a live server. I don't like the idea of installing build tools on the server, so I want to create a virtual machine on my desktop to build the applications so all I need to do is install them on the server.
As a specific example, I have an Ubuntu-based mail server using postfix (installed from repositories). However, I need to add virtual mailbox quota support, using the patches here: http://vda.sourceforge.net/
So my theory is that I can create a new Ubuntu VM, install the postfix source package and compile tools, apply the patch, then build the .deb from that to install on the live server, replacing the version in the repositories.
Is that a sensible approach? If yes, although I have a rough idea what is needed I'm on the edge of my knowledge. Once I have the source installed and patched (assuming that the instructions with the patch help me get that far!) how do I then build the .deb, and how to I install it so that it doesn't conflict with the existing package from the repositories?
PS: Rereading the above before posting, it might come across that I'm asking for help setting up the VM - that bit I can do. It's the step sideways from a complete binary install from repositories which is making me nervous!
Mark Rogers