Scott - yes... run the strings from the front to the back wheel. It seems to me that this is what the writers of that article say they were doing (see quote), before readers suggested the "current" way, running the strings from back to front.
I'm wondering why it's better to run the strings from back to front - if we're doing all of our adjusting at the back anyway, why not run the strings to the back wheel and do everything from back there... check, adjust, check again, all from the rear of the bike.
I may be answering my own question, however, when I point out what I see as potential problems with this "string tied to the front wheel" method. If the rear tire is wider than the front, then the strings won't run parallel all the way past where they first touch the rear tire. Whereas back-to-front, you have a straight gap, like Bare says. Also, if you do the checking at the front wheel, you can be doubly sure that the front wheel is straight.
Never mind...