I don't agree with the final point, "There are or course other ways of forcing file downloads, such as adding certain configuration to your .htaccess file, but I think server-side solutions to front-end problems should be avoided whenever possible."

If we are trying to FORCE a download, then this really is a server-side issue. If we want to give the user the choice, then it is a front-end issue.

The crux of the article is all about taking away the user's choice ... and so a server-side solution seems more reasonable per @jrochkind1.