germination question?

what is the difference between the paper towel method and just putting the seeds straight in to the soil.
i am growing straight from seed in the soil now under 400watt hps and it is a week and a half from sprout please tell me the difference between these two methods:hippy:

paper towel method can save you from planting seeds that wont sow.
i just plant all my seeds in peat pods have great success this way in last 100 beans i started maybe 2 have not come up.