I have found that I prefer to have my apps in a storage card in order so I can install the apps in a sequence of "important apps", "nice to have", and "occasionally use". It helps me from losing track of them and makes me think about whether I really need it or not...
The first thing I need to determine is whether I need to install the first 2 items (or any others depending on what was included in the ROM), which were required for the last ROM I used. If you were to get one of the "Full ROMs" odds are there would be many apps cooked in that you wouldn't need to install separately. As the ROMs I choose are usually "Lite", I have to install more by hand afterward.
After checking the connections tab: MediaNet was not there, so I did need to setup the device for connecting to my carrier. (Item #1 in my cab files)
I started Word and then went sequentially left to right, top to bottom to verify the keys were mapped correctly. They weren't... So I need Item #2 from my install Cabs (I adjusted the font to make the comparison easier)
Now to see what is in that advanced configuration tool I spotted that they built into ROM.
Personally, I'd prefer to have all my tuning done in REG files, much quicker and easier to manage, as well as covers things not always available in these 3rd party tools. OK, I looked at it... there were a few things in there, but mostly were duplications of the settings I already had in a reg file to be imported. That being said, I wonder why I keep seeing PHM Regedit in all these ROMs, when it is incapable of imporing the reg files that it creates. I prefer the use of Tascal Reg Editor (TRE) which will export and import reg files, as well as being free. I'll import the reg file last, as some of them are dependant or configure the settings for a few of my apps and I don't want the install of the app to overwrite my reg settings.
Now to install my main apps starting with #3... notice how the install is still going in the order from the cab files...
I installed the SPB apps without resets between or importing the saved settings I made prior to installing the new ROM. Then did the reset and imported the settings files and adjusted the today screen plugins.
I installed and configured the remainder of my most used apps: PocketCM, LiveSearch, and System Seven Push Mail. Some of these apps have had updates since I last saved their install cabs.
I reconnected and setup the partnership with the desktop
I tweaked the button assignments
I copied in a few notification sounds and ringtones I prefer into the windows folder and setup the theme
Now, I'll review the regfile I wish to import and verify the items in it are still appliciable to this setup, and install TRE and import it.