Where is the Documentation

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

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?

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

This section of the FAQs should get you started on Customizing http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/faq.php?faq=catalog_issues#faq_template_customize

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

@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 It would be out-of-date soooo quickly.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.php/Developers_API_Tutorials
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Developers_API_Overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Customisation_-_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?main_page=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

thanks : )

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

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

:)
Dawn

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:cry:

Since the Paypal Express feature exists on Zen-Cart now, I wonder if this documentation will be added in the wiki documentation or PDF documentation:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?p=308236#post308236

Probably after we catch our breath ...

Just Released!

e-Start Your Web Store with Zen Cart
The Comprehensive User Manual for Zen Cart™

e-Start Your Web Store with Zen Cart by Goh Koon Hoek, is an administrator and operator handbook for configuring and using Zen Cart™ to run an online store. Whether you are looking to supplement your current income, start a new business or extend your retail operations, this book will show you how to quickly set up a web store and start selling online.

* More than 390 pages, weighs over 2 pounds
* Hundred of screenshots
* Step by step configuration information
* Perfect for shop owners and webmasters
* Reviewed and fully endorsed by the Zen Cart Team

http://www.zen-cart.com/book

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if the new book is fully indexed? I mean, if I want to find out about CSS Buttons, can I look under buttons in the index and get to the relevant spot in the book? Or, to offer another example, can I look up "footer" in the index and get all the relevant bits? -- things like links in the footer, moving the footer, setting its styles, which .php files affect it, etc. There are many times when I know what I want to do, but not exactly where in the admin or the php files or the stylesheets I might be able to do it. That's when an index is indispensable.

The reason I'm asking is that in Rick Suffolk's mini-review of the book, he says "The Table of Contents is logically laid out, ... so it’s fairly easy to find things; just remember that if you come across a setting in your Zen Cart admin that you want more information about (e.g. One Time Factor) you need to be aware of the general area you’re working in – in this case, Attributes."

That makes it sound like there's no index. Curious minds want to know.

Rob

There is an index- but we have not seen it (the index) yet as it was added after our review copies.