That's weird... Out of the 8 seeds I used the paper towel method for this time around, 6 sprouted a tap root and all 6 turned into plants when put into soil (100% success rate for planting PT germinated seeds). I've germinated many seeds in this way in the past and have yet to be disappointed. Although I'm currently doing my first indoor grow as we speak, I've had a few semi-successful outdoor grows in the past (plants vegged but had to kill them before flowering due to snoopy neighbors and family members).
But, hey... Whatever works, right??
I know the paper towel method is extremelly popular. My buddy uses it with great success. find that putting th paper towel inside a ziplock bad stops it from drying out. I don't know why but for my I just can't make it work.
What I do when I soak my jiffy pucks is to ass about 10 drops of DNF Hydro-Thrive and a little bit of bloom nutes. I got that trick from my guy at my local hydroponics shop. He told me to add no more that 1/4 strength bloom nutes and as the high p rating helps to start a seed. I add about 1/8 strength blooms nutes and that really seems to have helped.
It's nice to talk to the guys at the hyfroponics shop, he's been growing over 20 years (no weed. well some, but all sorts of shit) and he has a few good tricks up his sleeves. He's always there to help me figure out what went wrong. I used to grow all out doors, drop seed in ground, 100% success every time, just lucky I guess. I spent about 15 years groing outside, moving indoors I had a huge learning curve. The hardest part was getting seeds to germinate, I followed what everyone recomends and it never worked for me. I went to my old reliable jiffy green house starter kit and boom things changed. Everything else was easy for me. I knew what to do from years of growing, but that damn germination stage killed a few seeds for me.
Like you say, what ever works for you. Everyone has there little differences, but once you find what works for you, stick to it and do you thing.