I like using guides (and then make slices from guides) to make nice economical slices. The nice advantage of slicing in the ImageReady document is greater flexibility when it comes to changing things or adding a chapter/button/icon. You can change the slices (whole rows or columns in one move) and save the resulting changed parts en see how it affects your html file in you editor of choice. When you cut and paste and the client insists on adding a 'my wifes quilts' section to the site, you have to re-cut and re-paste all parts that change. You can change the 'save-for-web'-settings per slice AND you can preview how that gif interacts with the jpg just beside it. Re-using images in different slices is done when working on the resulting html file (in GoLive in my case), as wel as adding backgrounds. What do you think are the advantages to do the slicing that 'old fashioned' way? I can not think of many. (just very curious...)