Ok... some programs are downloaded as .tar.gz files... unpacked into directories such as generic-1.0.3 or whatever... this contains the source code.

A configure script is run which chooses the right options for your particular system, right? After which, the user runs "make", which compiles the program... and "make install" which installs it. Right?

Now, my main questions is... say you want to save the source for this program for maybe another machine or re-installing or whatever. Do you save the .tar.gz or can you save that directory with all the source code in it just as safely? Do you have to run "make clean" to make that source directory pure again?

well..
tar.gz file is smaller to keep.
but if u r lazy as i am, u can just leave the directory

i don't think it's crucial to do make clean unless u change configure option between installations
(configure --blah-blah)