not so much a matter of better or worse as it is a matter of what you want. there's a certain satisfaction in growing from seed to plant, but it's a pretty persnickety endeavor, and you'll probably want to start with transplants.

make sure you drill holes on the bottom of the tub, for drainage. get quality potting soil from the nursery. basil, parsley, and thyme, maybe? basil and tomatoes! ;) i'd do rosemary in a different pot just because i've had trouble growing it in the same container as other herbs. when you get transplants at the nursery, ask questions! mom and pop nurseries are a fantastic resource for a noob.