Since the tags didn't quite work out, let me clarify. Any ability on THAT creature with the tap symbol can't be used (unless the creature has haste). Any ability that says: "tap a(n) (untapped) ____", like Conspire or, as NBarden explained, Drowner of Secrets, CAN be used, even by themselves. Since there's no tap simbol, it's considered to be the same as a repeatable ability with a cost, and those can always be used pronto.