I haven't read the rest of the thread, just the OP, and I just started a few days ago.

The biggest issues I have had with zencraft were getting concise and simple instructions. Eg instead of saying "move this document to this directory" show us a picture of what it might look like, and a video. This would probably be more helpful if everyone used the same type of web server and stuff though...

Things I wish were easier or more explained:
1. installation
2. backing up
3. changing templates, I like the guide posted in this thread but a lot of it is rather overwhelming and I just followed the install txt file. Newbies can't read 6 pages of technical text to get how something works. Please summarize.
4. FTP how does this work? Any videos?
5. Finding a free web host.

Basically imagine that you are an office worker just layed off, with no past knowledge of computer servers. Imagine you want to start a business. You want a one stop place to learn everything you need to do it. This is a good target of what your guide should do imo. If it's too much work, spread it out into a nontechnical/ updated wiki.

I'm a computer engineering student... but I'm still rather nooby. If you do this, I will worship the ground you walk on. Everything is there, it's just that it's difficult to understand.