Not directly related to the article, but I think the presentation linked at the end[0] is a good practical intro to Backbone.js and rich-client-side architecture.

Not having Rails background myself, I find that it nicely summarizes key differences between ‘traditional’ server-rendered and newer styles of writing web applications. I wish I came across something similar when I was starting with Backbone.js.

[0] http://speakerdeck.com/u/brennandunn/p/rails-without-views