I thought this was interesting..
change a tire (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597)
At the bottom, there is also a link for removing a tire.
I'll definitely going to give it a shot on my next tire change.
I tried both today when I put on my new front tire.. Neither worked very well for me..
The cutting results in an issue getting to the bead area which it the most important.. I think it did ultimately help with breaking the bead, but not much else.
I tried 4 ratchet straps and it didn't help me mount the tire at all.. I did use one ratchet strap once I got one side of the tire on the rim. I put a strap around the tire and the rim so that as I was mounting the other side, the ratchet strap side would not give up any ground. This did help a lot!!