reproduceable - probably an easy fix

during ./configure and later (after I thought I fixed things) in the make, the php install kept having trouble finding my install.  postgresql was installed --prefix=/usr/local/pgsql/7.1.2/, and that path was supplied to the program ($i).  However, it looked like that it assumed that libraries and such were not immediately in that path.  For example, it looks in $i/lib/pgsql and $i/lib/postgresql, where my path was (I though predictable) $i/lib.  I did a "ln -s /usr/local/pgsql/7.1.2/lib /usr/local/lib/pgsql" and other but that didn't work.  I mucked around with the (impressive) config files adding paths and that only gave limited progress.  I eventually did "ln -s . pgsql" in lib and other relevant places and got much further.
   Then, in make, failure again, as the header file couldn't find the include.  I added a hard path to the build/rules_common.mk (I believe the variable was DEFS).
   I hope this helps.  Personal note, I hopped on IRC (efnet) to try and get some advice.  Even though I asked an informed and intelligent (IMHO) question, I still got the condesending knee-jerk responses.  I have now been conditioned to a) never ever hope for any help from irc (especially the ef) and b) never research an issue fully before asking a question.  If you've done your research, you've spent TONS of times getting caught up, just to find out you know more than who you're asking for help.  However [James] was friendly and helpful, more so than anyone.  He deserves a free beer!