I can honestly say I have never had trouble germing seeds, the best method i find is to scrunch 1 sheet of kitchen towel up in the bottom of a glass, then place the seeds in the "pockets", then spray with 4 sprays of water, fold 1/2 a towel up and place in on top. Then wrap the whole glass in a small dish towel and place somewhere where the temperature will be quite consistant. If the seeds have started to crack the case then thats good as the tap root is trying to get out, personally I plant mine in soil when the tap root is just exposed. Some seeds take longer than others to come to life I have only once helped 1 out by peeling 1 half of the shell away from the plant as it was stuck to the first leave and starting to rot. Personally I would not try to rush the seeds out but I always think of what would happen in nature and try to emulate it best I can indoors. when you first plant a seed that has shown its tap root keep the soil moist (just a few sprays of water). untill it starts to sprout then place it under normal lighting. I have sprouted a seed on a window but I find they stretch if you dont get them to proper lighting in time.
This is my opinion and I am also a newbie , hope it helps