Updated 6/2/03

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Firstly, I'd like to take a moment to mention that this is purely meant to be used as a basic guide. This method, I have found, works best for me. I know many people out there will state different facts built up by years of experience and I do not have that. All I do have is a lot of research. I have tried many stated methods and come up with a few myself. Alas, most have failed me (or me them?). So I have funneled down until I found the method following. I have had great success with both seeds and cuttings using this method. 
But please remember- If it does not work, you simply need to try again- look at new ideas or change variables (ie. soil type or position etc.) before chucking in the towel. Propagation is very important and a highly rewarding element of Bonsai work, in my opinion, as you have cared for the plant from day one. But trust me, it will take some time until success happens more often. If you feel the need to start caring for a plant a.s.a.p. and cannot wait for germination, it is wise to buy a young plant to work with so you do not "over care" for your seeds/seedlings.
This method is very general and will work for most plants that are not very picky. Conifers that do not need the few months under cool conditions work well as well as jacarandas, some pine and she oak (or swamp oak).
The internet is a wonderful source when searching for a propagation technique for a plant specie.
Soon I  hope to add a list of links with useful propagation points.

First of all- make sure you have all you need: A medium pot, maybe 250mm, string- fairly weather proof, three or four thin stakes- bamboo are good for this (cheap and strong), small steaks- labeled with either name of plant and date or a code which leads to the information, soil (I personally use a fairly good, normal potting mix and a seedling mix, I will mention more about it later) and plastic- either a bag or sheet, making sure it had good clarity.

Now following my fertilizer test I now soak all my seeds over night in, a very watered down, liquid fertilizer. Simply placing the seeds in a lid filled with the fertilizer. One point to remember- if working with multiple seed types, make sure you remember, and can tell, which is which. It my sound silly, but you would believe how easy it can be to make a mistake like that!

Firstly you need to place the base soil. In my case I am lazy and go for a ready made potting mix. I have heard that a mix of top-soil, compost and sand is great and possibly even better than pre-made. My fear is not getting the right amount of each in the mix. The most important thing with any soil is how well its drainage is of water- this will also show how much air is able to pass through the soil.
After filling the soil, lightly pat it down and give it a good watering- allowing an observation on its quality of drainage. You must observe the water passing through the medium with easy before proceeding. If all is well, use a large stick, fat stake, or thumb/finger ( in glove) to make large (about 40mm wide and 60mm deep) holes, numbering the amount of seeds you wish to plant.

Next, fill the holes with a second soil suitable for seedlings. I simply use a seedling mix. This will give the new seedling a helping hand at the beginning until they reach the base soil mix. Make shallow holes as each seed has a stored amount of energy and will wear itself out before reaching the surface if made to deep. Around 2mm should be ideal.

Next place the seeds in the holes and lightly cover. Place the labels near the seeds in an order which will be easy for you to remember- I personally place the label next to the middle seed of that type and have the number of seeds on the label.

Now place the stakes evenly space apart and being careful not to come too close to one of the seeds. firm the soil around the stakes and give the pot a good water with a spray as to make sure it does not disturb your work.

What is left now is to cover the pot. You need to have either a bag or plastic sheet with good clarity (ie. you can see fair amounts of detail through it). I have worked with mostly plastic bags in the past but have recently come into a large amount of clear sheet (covering my sons new mattress believe it or not) and so will be using that for this demonstration. So now I want to talk about tightening it up. I have found this knot system to be the best. Firstly, tie a tight loop at the end of your string.

Loop the string around the pot tightly, find and make another loop around 20cm away from the first. Then cut the string so you have about 30 cm length following the second knot.

The excess string now thread through the first knot then the second. Loop the string behind both of the string in front of the second knot then tighten using the excess and the end of the string next to the first knot.

Now use the looped string to tie and easily untie-able knot. This will make the string easy to tighten and reuse.
You will need to check on it at least two or three times a week when it will most likely (at least in Australia) need another water.

Good luck!