Hi, I am learning about CMSes and have a few questions about EE.

1. Is using a system like EE for blogs, shopping carts etc. better than / equivalent to / less efficient than using separate items like WordPress, ZenCart etc? I assume so, but I was wondering if these components are as powerful with EE as with dedicated applications.

2. I’d like to have a cart with the facility to download digital books following purchase. Can this be done with an EE cart?

3. Is there a book or manual (digital or printed) that comprehensively explains how to use EE? My brain gets a tad addled when searching for answers online. If not, can you point me to a simple introduction to EE that explains, in simple terms, how it works / how to get started?

Many thanks!

Greetings Aarem and welcome to the EE Forums .

1&2) This can be done using the FoxEE module located here: http://www.hccdevelopment.com/Web-Based-Software/Product/foxee/
The simple commerce module that comes with ExpressEngine is rather basic and probably cannot handle what you want to do.  FoxEE on the other hand has many many features and integrates FoxyCart seamlessly into ExpressEngine.  ZenCart is a pain to try and fit into an existing template whereas FoxEE is extremely easy. 

3) The docs for ExpressionEngine are located here: http://expressionengine.com/docs/—If you would like some really awesome screencasts, head to http://www.pragprog.com/screencasts/v-riexp/building-a-dynamic-website-with-expressionengine

Most post is just a matter of opinion so please criticize below .

Thanks very much CodysPlace.com (may I just call you Cody?!)

That’s a very helpful answer. I look forward to checking out FoxyCart, which I’d not heard of before. The other links are great too—just what I was looking for.

Much appreciated. 

Sure .  I should sign my posts with just cody heh.
I only recently discovered FoxyCart myself due to reading about FoxEE.  It seems FoxyCart is definitely the future of building ecommerce sites that take A LOT less time.  All you have to do is design your template instead of modding 3 or 4 different files in an ecommerce total solution like ZenCart.  I wish I knew about awhile ago, it would have saved me many many hours ><.