Those are good tips! I've always read that you want to start your quilting in the middle of the quilt, but I have found that to be very arduous (and have broken many needles that way haha!)
And even though I've read you're supposed to start in the middle, I only did that for about 3 or 4 quilts then started the way the author of the above noted article does it. It is much easier!
I also spray baste so I don't have to remember about pins!