Frances Bell

Think of the time difference Josep - they might be asleep or on the beach after working hard at the Conference
You are a Spaniard - what happened to mañana?

I don't think you are hasty in raising the topic but rather hope that you might be hasty in assuming the thread is hidden forever.
I agree that we should know why the decision has been taken and what it means about the governance of Moodle.org.
This feels like a pivotal moment in Moodle.org that has been undergoing many other changes this year, big growth in number of partners, Moodle sites, integrations, big projects.
It would be such a pity if the implications of these changes became something we could not talk about.  I think that a bit more openness on change is indicated.

Let's not be too hasty Josep.  Perhaps the thread may yet be made unhidden.
I was asked by private message (and no doubt others were)" If you have a good reason for requesting it to be moved back to the Open Social Forum, please let me know."
My reply was:
" I do think that this topic should be moved back to the Open Social forum for the following reasons:
1. I know of no other case of public discussion content on Moodle being removed without warning or explanation.
2. Though the topic aroused debate the main participants did not flame (as I understand it) but engaged in true dialogue (i.e. they listened to each other and were open to having their minds changed as a result of the dialogue.
3. The most dubious posting (IMHO) was from Martin Langhoff, one of the people who requested that the topic be closed.
4. This topic will/would have died a natural death - the peremptory removal of it ensures it will have a much longer life (martyrs never die ) "
Maybe the thread has not died but has been temporarily incarcerated.
I would humbly propose the 'Art Teachers' Law, as Godwin's law did not apply here (see Quirk's Exception , "It is considered poor form to arbitrarily raise such a comparison with the motive of ending the thread"):
Art Teacher's Law
The only way to get people to shut up about a hidden thread is to let it wither in the light of day.

Well put Nagarajan.
I read Bryan's post to you in the business Uses course - he said
"Please do not promote your business here. I think Ralf's suggestion that an authorized Moodle partner be contacted is more appropriate. There will be a Moodle partner in India shortly for those needing services."
So we do need some clarification on the business ethic here.
Is it:
OK for Moodle partners to solicit business here?
OK for Moodle partners to solicit business here if they disclose that they are partners?
Ok for non-Moodle partners to solicit business in a country where there is no Moodle partner?
Nagarajan's point about the need for affordable open source solutions in developing countries is crucial.
What will Moodle's role in pricing be in these countries?  Who will be the Moodle partners in developing countries?

Ah, I know Piet Kommers from Int Journal of Web-based communities.  That sounds an interesting idea.
I hadn't thought about Moodle forums being blocked - that is an interesting point.  Does anyone know if it has happened?
I would hesitate to claim to be in the 'free' world as exaggerated claims about our own freedom might get in the way of understanding our own conditions and that of those with whom we are speaking - but maybe that was another tease Gers
On CABWEB, we have an open network/ community and a closed one - I am not suggesting anything specific for Moodle but think that we should keep an open mind on what might be needed.
Of course we all know, there must be closed forums on Moodle.org (the 'teachers forum' for example).  Who knows the Particularly Helpful Moodlers may have their own space, and many other groups. AFAIK the only way to make a 'hidden' space is to make everyone a 'teacher'.