Slipping the clutch

Now I know you're not supposed to do this in every gear or too often, but since I got my 1st MT car in January, when I take off from a stop, I slip it a bit and feather/tap the throttle a bit. Shifting into 2nd, if I shift too early and don't let out the clutch gently/slowly the car jerks, so I usually slip it a little also. If I shift at higher RPMs then its no problem. From 2nd -> 3rd and on I just let it out normally. Am I doing something wrong all this time? Seems to me there really isn't any other way...:dunno:.

Also whats considered "riding the clutch"?

Slipping the clutch a minor amount is fine, you'll get used to it feeling where the car grabs in each gear with various throttle settings.

Riding the clutch is when your foot is damn near on the pedal constantly applying pressure to varry your speed. It's unnecessary, and stinks... it's like people who ride their brakes. It just creates drag and wears parts out faster.

So when you take off, do you let it grab on first then apply some gas, or give it some gas and let it slide in?

I let the clutch out slowly till I hit the friction zone, and as the car starts to move forward I apply the gas as needed.