All good tips. You just have to use what's easiest and best for you. My track is, at present, just temporarily laid in place so I can change my mind on what arrangement I want on my new layout. It's easy enough for me to take sections apart and adjust things as necessary to reduce or eliminate any gaps I feel are too large.
Once I am basically satisfied with my track plan (getting closer now), I will outline the track positions; remove the track in sections and paint the track and ties; install Woodland Scenics foam roadbed (I have boxes of the stuff already, acquired over several years); drill holes in select ties; and then affix the track with screws. All my track is Gargraves, and all my switches are Ross.
The layout will also have a Superstreets/E-Z Streets trolley line and, on another level, a point-to-point On30 narrow gauge line (Atlas HO track) serving a dedicated industry.