Nodes fall into 3 categories:
1. Generated via a module, no CCK fields
2. Generated by CCK only
3. Created via a module with CCK fields added

For L10 projects, the CCK should not be used to create new content types (node type 2 from above). In instances where you may be tempted to create a node wholly by the CCK, create a node skeleton module and enable it first, then use CCK to add fields. A node skeleton does not add its own table.