Editing JPEGs with the RAW interface

Question

I discovered a way to edit JPEG images using the RAW interface. I go to File > Open As... instead of File Open.., change the format in the lower window to "Camera RAW" and click open.
I am fully aware of the benefits of shooting in RAW as compared to JPEG and I'm not approaching this with the expectation that I'll get better results editing JPEGs using this approach. What I am addressing is the fact that the tools in the RAW interface are more consolidated and faster to use then going through a typical workflow using Levels - Hue/Saturation - Shadows/Highlights etc.
The other benefit seems to me is you can use the same RAW controls numerous times while editing, while you're only suppost to use Levels Hue/Saturation controls once so as to minimize the impact these tools have on image degradation.
Am I on to something here or out in left field?
Opinions please...
Deep Woods

Answer 1

Does two minor changes not equal one major change? I'm not sure. This also begs the question... at what point in using Levels, contrast or saturation tools does editing change from minor to major? Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but I don't believe everyone out there would agree at what point this is defined.
True, major and minor is subjective, but I can see how you adjust the black point in levels, and then you come back into the photo later and decide to slide it a little more, I don't have any particular qualms about doing this, and I don't think anyone can look at the resulting image and say -- see, right there, quality degradation because you used levels twice.
The place where levels is most dangerous is when you either do ridiculous things, like move the sliders almost all the way to the middle, and then move them back almost all the way to the edges; or when you are getting posterization (which can happen from even a single use of levels).
Many publications I came across over the years indicate single adjustments only when using these tools on JPEGs, unless of course one is using Adjustment Layers.
Never read that. Can you please provide a reference?
This is why I was hoping for lots of feedback like yours on the issue of using the RAW interface to edit JPEGs. I've received very little feedback on this issue which tells me it is a little known option to users of Photoshop. It is so much easier to edit a JPEG using the RAW interface, rather than go through the conventional workflow with the other tools in Photoshop. So far no one has given me reason to think otherwise.
Yes, I agree editing JPGs in the raw interface has a number of advantages, ease of use being one of them. Non-destructive editing is another advantage. My guess as to why so few people use this tool is that: 1) PSE is a very overwhelming program, and once you learn the traditional way to do things (which is what you get from most books and tutorials), you don't want to bother learning another way to edit your photos; and 2) RAW scares many people.