Zen Cart Book

Does anyone here use the manual at all and if so, does it really help?

It is an excellent guide to setting up and operating your Zen Cart. It does not cover template customization in depth; rather, it is an operator's manual. I found a lot of information in it that I didn't know, when I had already been using ZC for a couple of years.

I just need to know the day to day running of Zen Cart. The things that will help me keep the store running smooth. I see a lot on the control panel and I can't make half of it out. So I was going to buy the book if it would help. Now should I get the online or hard copy? The online said it will put updates to the book out to down load.

The book definitely will help you. Paper or e-book is up to your preferred reference method. PDF updates are also be available for purchasers of the hard copy.