In my humble opinion; anything cooked in an oven is "baked" putting BBQ sauce on it doesn't make it BBQ'd. True BBQ is cooked in smoker using hardwood as the source of heat and the all important "smoke" which gives it the flavor.
As far as ribs go.... I like my ribs seasoned with a dry rub and slow smoked to perfection. The bigger the rib the better in my eyes. Have to eat a whole bunch of Baby Backs to make a good filling meal. Beef ribs are monster sized and two will damn near make a meal in their own rite.
Bottom line is ...any meat smoked is good meat in my book.
I'll pass the birthday wishes along, he is rehabbing right now from a knee replacement he had done three weeks ago so he isn't doing a lot of activities.
Thanks,
Sult