It's a guide for newbies who dont even know how to apply a hack. Is there a simpler way to teach them backup db, eg. via telnet in such a tutorial?
Besides many hosts (especially the host of many "newbies") dont give access to telnet or use such tools on their servers so backup via Admin CP is the easiest and sometimes the only way for many users.
It's good you have a tutorial focused on mainly backup process but please remember my tutorial aims to shed a light on installing a hack only. I couldnt write pages in this tutorial on specific details like backup or the text editors you should use.