Where is the Documentation

**bobo** · 16 May 2006, 04:08 PM

Sorry, if this is the wrong place to post, but...

I have just successfully installed ZC for the first time and am looking for some kind of overview doc/manual of how it all works. The install page says "see the FAQ section at the Zen Cart™ Website and look under the "Configuration" section for "First Steps..." - but this does not seem to exist ? Also, a search for "manual" or "documentation" comes up with nothing.

ZC is rather overwhelming to just dive straight into and hack up, so I'd be very grateful if someone could direct me to somewhere which will explain the principles of ZC to a first-time user. Thanks very much.

Bob Osola

**Kim** · 16 May 2006, 04:56 PM

We were recently forced to switch software and our support site and things are still being put back together.

Exactly what do you want to do next?

**bobo** · 16 May 2006, 05:08 PM

Thanks for responding. Fair enough, I look forward to the docs being uploaded to the new site.

I'm an experienced web dev, so am looking first at:

1) how to change the appearance (overview info on which PHP, CSS etc templates to tweak, what they all do, etc)

2) how to to bulk-upload items to the catalogue (schemas, APIs whatever) from CSV or similar.

Thanks very much.
Bob Osola

**Kim** · 16 May 2006, 05:17 PM

This section of the FAQs should get you started on Customizing http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/faq.ph...late_customize

**liveaday** · 8 Jun 2006, 02:05 PM

i am also looking for a manual/docs. are there any available yet?

**Woodymon** · 8 Jun 2006, 04:13 PM

@Livaday

1. Most important: The docs in "/docs" in the Zen Cart installation
source directory. (by default the docs also are installed in your store
root directory). Most of the docs are linked to /docs/index.html

2. Look at the menu link above just below the forum logo: "FAQ"

3. Check out forum: "First Steps & General Customization Issues"
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=136
Look for sticky docs at top of forum(s).

4. Some good folks have recently spearheaded a "newbie" documentation project.
See http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37835

5, Look at the menu at very top of support forum: "WIKI docs"

6. No manual available. It would be out-of-date soooo quickly.

Keep in mind all documentation has not been updated for the most current version of ZenCart (v.1.3.0.1 at this writing). And with new Zen Cart versions/updates coming out regularly documentation maintenance and version relevance is always a moving target.

(Sidenote: Myself, I rather see the Dev Team put their valuable time into programming, designing, developing, testing, and releasing than constantly updating a manual. But there is a fine balance. And I think the FAQ, the Wiki, the readme docs and the support provided by the dev team and the Zen community serves that balance well).

BTW if you're new to the Zen Cart support forum the "forum FAQ" is here.

Recommend skimming the various 'general' forums (installing, general questions, basic configuration, stylesheet, layout, etc) to get a feel for the joys and adventure that awaits you ;-)

--
@Bobo

See number one above.

When you install ZC, install the demo products so you can play around with various features.

After install make a copy of the default database and open it up in phpmyadin and skim through the db table structures and conventions.

For "advanced" topics read wiki documents by wilt, DrByte and others.
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Developers
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._API_Tutorials
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._API_Overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...on_-_Templates

Since you are fresh to Zen Cart use the CSS based template_default template (make a copy). Avoidthe older table based template (classic).

For CSS framework read /docs/readme_css_system.html

Also I recommend Kuroi's "Future Zen" template as a good CSS/template learning tool. See http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35682

For a quick peak of the OLD 1.2x table based layout see http://www.datagnostics.com/temp/zen_tables.html. Note this is document is deprecated and I am not aware of a similar doc available for newer Zen Cart 1.3x CSS template layout.

But no worry. Download and install the Firefox WebDeveloper extension. You will be on your way.

Check out the Bug Reports, Code Suggestions and Feature Wishlist forums regularly. Forum posts by the Zen Cart Devs and community are the best learning tools. (read everything with a grain of salt... even my post here and elsewhere).

Occasionally check-in with the Roadmaps forum. Latest post:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36912

Visit the new 3rd Party Contributions Downloads area. (aka Mods).
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...index&cPath=40

Note many contributions/mods are not yet listed. See "Archived Contributions" downloads at http://www.zen-cart.com/archived_contributions.

Some popular third party "bulk upload" utilities include EasyPopulate and Quick Updates. There are others.

Search the "Contributions - Miscellaneous" forum -AND- the "Archived Contributions" forum for support threads for the mods you are interested in.

Several mods that you lwill ikely not want to go without:
Image Handler 2, Admin Profiles, Master Password (encrypt), RSS2, Google Froogle, Google Sitemap, User Tracking, TabbedProductsLITE, Database Backup - MySQL, etc. There are many other quality mods available.

Within your store Admin be sure to checkout:
Tools > Developers Toolkit,
Tools > Store Manager,
Tools > Server/Version Info,
Tools > Install SQL Patches

There is a variety of offsite documentation available but i'm hesitant to direct you to it since by the time you have made it through the above it may all be irrelevant ;-)

Good luck.

Woody

**liveaday** · 8 Jun 2006, 09:42 PM

thanks : )

**magoo69** · 21 Jun 2006, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by bobo

Sorry, if this is the wrong place to post, but...

I have just successfully installed ZC for the first time and am looking for some kind of overview doc/manual of how it all works. The install page says "see the FAQ section at the Zen Cart™ Website and look under the "Configuration" section for "First Steps..." - but this does not seem to exist ? Also, a search for "manual" or "documentation" comes up with nothing.

ZC is rather overwhelming to just dive straight into and hack up, so I'd be very grateful if someone could direct me to somewhere which will explain the principles of ZC to a first-time user. Thanks very much.

Bob Osola

I'm with you...ZC is a bit overwhelming at first, and I had the same problem...have been bumbling around in admin...I've figured stuff out by trial and error...still have numerous questions...wish you the best G

**moominmama** · 10 Oct 2006, 06:19 PM

Wow! Thanks for the firefox hint -- what a great tool and I hadn't heard of it!

:)
Dawn

**rastaker** · 28 Dec 2006, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by liveaday

i am also looking for a manual/docs. are there any available yet?

I too have newy installed ZC WEB Site and am looking for some kind of overview doc/manual of how it all works.

Did you really get an answer to your question? (I'm not sure. Every thing I read is about programing changes and site set ups.)

What I am looking for is the procedure or steps to follow when I get my first order. What do I do, what e-mails am I going to get, how do I print the order, how do I complete the order in Zen-Cart, etc?

Again what I am looking for is how it all works after the site is up and running.

TU, russssss