Blast, I should learn to type faster CT
Selection with the lasso, magnetic lasso, etc is very touch & go as it relys upon a direct selection wheras selections via masks can be cusomised more easily & adjusted using precision tools such as the brush & pencil tools as well as larger area tools such as the gradients, pen tools & paint bucket.
That is not to say that selection using the former is not useful, I do use them, for example if I am outlining a selection between a black & white object (or other objects with high contrast differences) I will use the magnetic lasso & then enter quick masking to ensure I get the exact selection I need by adding/subtracting, etc.
One of the main benefits that I find for this technique is being able to correctly & precisely control the amount of feathering/sharpness via the use of feathered or hard edged brushes.
It's all down to personal preference but learning to use of quick masks & incorporating the other tools has vastly improved my workflow & I now find the lasso tools a little clumsy
(even though I am using a graphics tablet).
If anyone wants any extra advice about quick masking techniques just ask & I'll see what I can do & if enough people ask the same questions, I'll put together a tutorial too (won't be a fancy video one like some of the others here
but hopefully should cover it).