[bkaz]

ROMs tend to come in two flavors: Clean and Custom

A Clean ROM generally tries to create a "stock" windows mobile device. Focus is on higher free RAM, faster performance, and little-to-no bloatware or extra apps. In no2chem and DCD's ROMs, you might find a custom comm manager and/or some extra utilities included (lock, custom power apps, etc...). No2chem has also rewritten some drivers (wifi switch) and made other lower level changes.

A Custom ROM generally tries to make a complete, ready to use phone with no need to install extra apps. Custom skins, today screens, dialers, sounds and more are usually installed, as well as a lengthy list of other apps and utilities. Custom ROMs are usually built off of a no2chem or DCD clean ROM and require no further adjustments.

So if you want a completely preconfigured ROM that will need little or no modifications, go with a custom ROM. If you want to start from scratch and create your own, start with a clean ROM.