Why are there multiple contradictory ways to control flash ratio?

Question

I am reading the following introduction to flash photography:

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-flash-2.htm

In this article, I came across two seemingly contradictory statements:

The "flash ratio" is an important way to describe the mix between ambient light and light from your flash. ...[T]he mix of flash and ambient light is adjusted using only two camera settings: (i) the length of the exposure and (ii) the flash intensity.

But the article also says:

The key to changing the flash ratio is using the right combination of flash exposure compensation (FEC) and ordinary exposure compensation (EC).

Don't these two statements say different things? Is the choice dictated by personal preference? Or do they mean the same thing?

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EDIT: I just came across yet another suggestion to change the ISO instead (http://www.scribd.com/doc/60727727/42/If-You-Can%E2%80%99t-Find-the-Light-Create-the-Light):

See if you have a good blend. If the background is too dark, try moving up to the next level of ISO. Too bright a background? Lower the ISO.

This is really confusing for beginners like me!

Answer

They both say the same thing, though in a different order. You control the length of the exposure using ordinary exposure compensation (assuming you are in Aperture Priority mode), and you control the intensity of the flash using flash exposure compensation.

Essentially they have described the general terms in the first part, and the specific settings in the second.

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