I, too, think it's what you prefer. I rarely open a seam but neither do I make a pattern with 8 seams coming together. One thing I have learned though, is to use the zipper foot when doing either in the ditch or next to it.....I can see exactly where I should be sewing, can nestle the foot up to the seam and move the needle ever so slightly if need be.

exactly what judges want.

if i'm making a show quilt any SITD is done so you can not see the stitching from the front at all.

when its not a show quilt i'm not so careful.

I have always stitched in the ditch - that's where the term comes from SID. I have a foot that does help keep you in the ditch. That said, after reading many comments here I have now tried using fancy stitching over the ditch and that comes out lovely and adds a bit of pizzaz/dimension especially with variagated threads which does add an additional texture to one's quilt.

I often use the decorative stitches on my machine and kind of straddle the seam. I think, depending on the quilt, they come out really well.

As above, in the ditch if that is the look I'm going for, next to the "ditch" if that is the look I'm going for. None of mine are "perfect" but I'm okay with that.

This is soething that makes sense to me. I have been working on a quilt that I am pressing seams to one side and it is just not working for me but I have read so much on here about it I thought that I would try it. Maybe with just 9 patch or something but with my triangles it just is horrible,

since your research told you both...why ask?
some people stitch right on the seam...some people right next to it. if the seams are pressed open it is better to stitch beside the seam. if they are pressed to one side it is ok to stitch right on the seam. most people do it the way they like it best...it is a personal choice with no 'right answer'

In the seam. I'm still trying to perfect my in the ditch stitching. Somehow I manage to many "jumping the ditch" stitches. Practice makes perfect but how long do I have to practic?