While it is considered a little crude, it is possible to convert tar files into debian packages... You should look at the debian packaging instructions for how to do it right (which will fill in the gaps in this explanation) but then you'll find that if you do: mkdir x cd x tar xzvf .../package.tar.gz (assuming it unpacks from /) mkdir DEBIAN cat > DEBIAN/control # follow the packaging guildelines, or just crib the contents of the control file from the "hello" package cd .. dpkg-deb --build x dpkg-name x and if you've set up the control file right, you'll end up with a package-version.deb that you can then install.
It would be nice, if you have the time and decide to rebuild from sources anyway, to put together a "proper" package; it doesn't take much work, and the hello package is a good example... but the above tricks might be enough to get you "hooked" -- worked for me :-)