Yeh Casey , your talkin about the good old fashion way of doing it. Your from the land of the great Anderson windows. Back in 1990 ish they took a big group of texas builders up their and wined and dined us for days. Big dinners , out on the river boat, etc. I remember even playing racketball somewhere. They really took care of us. But unfotunately here in texas especially the san antonio area people just do not want to put their money into the high end windows like Anderson , Pella or Marvin. I guess because of the better climate. Here aluminum windows are pretty much standard with vinyl as an upgrade and I'm not talkin about the vinyl clad wood windows like an Anderson. Usually if someone in these parts wanted an Anderson or Pella product it was someone moving in from up north. Here double glazed is max, don't ya'll have triple glaze up north. 25- 30 years ago a double glaze window was an upgrade here.

Casey, That is definetely a bay window in Jay's pics. He's in a different state but we call it the same here. Even though it's not a continuos window attachment , it is still called a bay window. 3 windows projected out on the exterior wall with the 2 sides of the wall 45'd is a bay window. You must be referring to 3 windows actually attached with the 2 sides at a 45 degree. That  3 window attachment would cost alot more for obvious reasons and not cover the same area as 3 seperate windows. Here we also call a box window a box window because the frame is boxed out, but the window is single or double and flat with the exterior boxed out wall area not u shaped or boxed as the frame.

Jay, how's the weather up there, we hit mid 70's today.  . I'm originally from Pennsylvania, so I'm assuming your weather is fairly comparable to there.
On your straps theory I also think it wouldn't be a bad idea to recommend strapping the outside joints (outside of Sheathing, assuming it's 1/2 inch OSB) of the bay also at the angles. That way all those joints are strapped/fastened inside and out. Sandwich effect, resistance both sides. I will recommend here in future even though not required, can't hurt.
David, good luck on your maintanance article. Keep in mind that NACHI has a life expectancy chart for home components that could help you with information on your article. jk

Jay, sorry I messed up your theory.   

Jay, in the San Antonio area we don't strap the bay windows, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. Also would recommend screws not nails. Nails would defeat the purpose by pulling loose easier with wall movement.

Hey Dave, thanx, makes sense, took me a minute to figure that one out, and of course I don't mind you jumping in.

Dominic, I just registered, on the registration it asks for web title and web url, is that not the same?