[asterisk-users] Recompile Asterisk

[LL]

I need to recompile asterisk to install some apps.
Does anyone has a good tutorial on how to do this  ? I've asterisk 
1.4.13 installed should I upgrade to 1.6 ? will I benifit from video 
improvements if I upgrade ? Will I loose asterisk settings if I recompile ?
If you have  previously recompiled asterisk please let me know your 
experience!
Any information about this will be very welcome.
Thanks! Regards,
LL