xxfwmxx: Items you place in the Rom can be used or not, its up to you. Unless they are set to run at startup "\windows\startup" they need to be launched by you. Most apps have an option in th UI to enable or disable them at startup if they are used along with the os (like wisebar or xcpuscalar). By not having them load your not using them
Also since they are in the ROM, your not wasting storage space so again, no loss in having them there even if not used. I never use pExcel or pPPT, they are just in the rom because I could and others wanted them. Since it was a default shipping app I left them. Again, no space wasted
Good luck with your rom BTW..
Read the forum on the space and speed threads for some details of making it better. The more you get in the rom the better. Watch your storage space as you should be able to get most everything in a ROM and only use a few meg of it. Remeber shortcuts or things copied out of windows will take up space. My rom when used out of the box is under 3meg of storage once synced and about 5 after my other apps (like flexmail).
-saridnour