I'm just catching up properly with this thread Martin.
On reading the post from David you refer to (https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=315883#p1266383) he is not as strong as you. In fact he said "I'll be happy to see your POET group involved in providing these QA reviews in the Moodle plugins directory. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with me to set up the environment for your people to start publishing them. Looking forward to your help!" which is quite positive. I can see how they (POET) may have taken this as 'support'.
@Gareth re your post https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=317916#p1274702 you show a little angst.
I'm not sure it is like this, how you perceive it. The Moodle Partner installs I have had to do with all have diverse requirements for plugins. One just using Postgres, another charging us $$ for checking a plugin and then I change jobs and get another charge from a MP different company for the same plugin - with a different level of check. The check sheet of compliance for a company supporting 17 different moodle installs is a little different to ONE school and one Moodle. The stakes are high. Security requirements can be different. One small detail, quite OK for mere education can be different for a real estate company with a special requirement for audit trails.
They are not "marking' your work" Probably I'd say they are doing something in response to commercial realities in the area of their clients, their installs and plugins.
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In general: I'm a little surprised at Martin's response, at it's bluntness.
Howard said:
"I'm completely mystified what the POET group is supposed to achieve other than confuse matters further. However, with my cynical hat on, I suspect there is rather more to it than may first appear. We shall see..."
Here: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=315883#p1276311
COMMUNICATION. I do recognise the sarcasm in your comment here. But POET seems to be making up the communication gap slowly. These guys are not silly, we can assume they have a plan, but like the Association it may be a little bit emergent. They have a stake in Moodle, they will not undermine. But they have the right to extend things to suite their realities. I'm a minion. I have huge wheel spinning and wasted time with plugins and Moodle version decision. They are much bigger fish. Multiply the issues by a factor. Hence POET, a tiny little extra thing.
RATHER MORE TO IT. Maybe. Martin's business, above the level we work at.
"WE SHALL SEE..." Wise advice Howard.
So, probably in summary, I'll also wait: and hope that many end users benefit with cheaper, more functional, more stable Moodle Installs they pay real money for, delivered a little quicker with each new version.
David said "But there are at least two people needed to make a discussion happen." I hope the MoodleHQ guys are OK.
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A complete aside!! I'm now legal to review!!
@David. I'm interested to notice as I follow up Helen's post here: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=315883#p1276367 that I now have a Write a review button. If you ever told me about this, I missed it. I will press it sometime and see what happens.
Good luck all.
-Derek