[psgbg]

Depends, depends.

Sometime certain programs have a particular configuration that you might want, but most of the users won't. In those cases the developer can simply omit those when they build the distribution binaries and then you as a POWER USER make your own changes and configuration. It happened me multiple times (want some experimental features?).

Some time ago I used to rebuild my Linux kernel to fix problems in my distribution, or to gain some edge in performance, but as the development had advanced that edge won't make up for my effort so I don't do it anymore.

I'm a linux user, and most of the time I hate to compile software if I don't have to, so I don't but when I do I'm happy that I can.