Thank you for the quick response!
You are nothing if not FAST!
However, I think you are most definitely helpful.
(even if I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes)
I know you can't write it up for all contigencies, but maybe a flow chart for changing the basics.
Similar to what you have, but with a pictures of the site (like the manual) and tree diagram of how each one stems off and the specific thing then depicted and described?.
I know, when will you find the time? Well, if you do that will help

I'm visual person what can I say.
The one in the manual has the right idea, but needs to say that then head.tpl is made up of this, this and this. I think your chart has LOTS of merit. But, it's just not as clear as I like it. If we could marry the two, I think we would be that much closer to make it like a "x-cart for dummies".
That's my two cents on the matter.
I have been going around in circles with another issue on another site [My latter question].
This leads to more frustrations.
I was hoping this year to make them less "cookie cutter" as all really changed was the colour.
This is where figuring out how to changes the upper portion of the site will come in handy.
Which means I will have to put off the 4.2 for a looooong time.
I can't even get the buttons to change colour?
Back to the issue at hand!
So can I use regular HTML/CSS right inside there (the tpl files)?
As it's a "link" to this file, does that mean once I get down to the "single" element, like the part that makes up the one tab, I can add my own version here and it will understand that code.
Or is there a special way to do it?
I will have to play around with this, but I think (assuming I can put HTML) this might have made it a little clearer.
Clear as mud I guess until I try it.
My other questions, for now . . .
Is there a place where the table.container background can be adjusted?
I need it to be plain white on the cart and on the regular one there is a grey bar on the right under the menus.
I tried this method of following the templates back, but couldn't find it.
Any thoughts?
Thanks again!
Keep up the good work!