I guess the title says it all...
I have been compiling my own software because I like my box organized so that I know where everything is. However, more than once I've missed some compile option that I needed (but didn't realize it initially). Is there some source that I can look to that points to common compilation options so that I can make sure I'm getting this done right the first time?

Thanks

Not quite sure I follow, unless you are referring to:
./configure --help

Which specifies many compile options. If you are referring to GCC options, you can check the GCC documentation which covers MANY options for GCC specific to your CPU.

Cool

I'm referring to ./configure --help options. For example, I had to compile PHP with support for a bunch of different things that are not compiled in by default, such as GD. I would like to be able to download the source, and look at some site somewhere or something that explains everything a little better, maybe, or maybe what the most common compilation options are.

The "most common" are usually listed seperately from ones specific to the application. As far as more in depth explainations that those listed next to each option in --help, well my 'code of conduct' wrt that is "If I don't know what it does, it's likely I don't need it compiled in" However, that does not really assist in answering your question... So with things such s PHP, you can read the overly in depth documentation provided on the website itself. You can usually find this is true with most applications. Simply paruse the site's homepage a bit.

For general options though, as mentioned above, it's usually listed at the top of the --help option, and IIRC is stated as "General Options"

Cool