I've done my basting a few different ways. I started out using safety pins, but I don't always know how I'm going to quilt my project when I'm basting, and don't want to have to move the pins once I start, so I don't use them much anymore. If I was more of a planner, I probably would still use them.
Then, I HAVE used Sharon Shamber's method with the long boards, but for some reason, I had some difficulty with getting the pieced top to be even on the board. My backing would go on smoothly, but the top would be temperamental.
Where I've landed lately is to use the big black office binder clips to clip my backing to my table starting in the middle of my quilt. Then smooth on my batting and clip it, and then my top. I start basting with a light crochet thread (that comes on the big spool), using a long dollmaking needle. Works like a charm, and I don't have to have a huge, huge table to make it work.