[About XDA developers] 85gallon:
I understand your point about PM'ing a mod. To a point.

I don't fault the mod. I fault the system here.

If I feel something is going on too much here that I disagree with by several mods, I like to make a post in here so users can read it and also put in their feedback. That is why I did so. It is not attributable to a single mod, but the way things are done a lot as a policy. (Hence the argument that my post could really apply to a few forums) In that case err in the case of caution. I did the same a while back when I thought it was wrong to simply close threads without any explanation. (and that was rampant for a while) It is right to close if it is posted obviously in the wrong forum, and the rules were not read. But explain why it was closed so other readers can head the warning to make sure they post in the correct forum. I am not saying I corrected that policy, but I would like to thing I was instrumental.

If I report the thread, I am not sure how many mods read it before it is acted upon. If the problem involves a policy, it may just be the mod on duty that sees the report and takes action either way. No other mods see the complaint to take it into consideration and think, "maybe he has a point".

If I PM the mod directly, I will only do that if I think that particular mod was wrong in his actions. Like it was an action the HE took that other mods have not taken in similar situations. That way, I KNOW that only that mod I disagree with reads it and I can air my disagreement with them personally.

I have only found that necessary a few times and I accept the answer. I don't always agree with the answer. But if I don't, I may escalate to report post in hopes that other mods may see it and voice their opinions in the mod forums. (One case comes to mind on removing a picture in the OT images thread. God it was a funny pic. It may have been offensive to a select few, but funnier than hell. The thread was taking a turn towards memes on the Grand Theft Auto game. I posted a pic of an advertisement for GTA Somolia. It had a Somli with a gun in a wheel barrow with another Somali pushing the wheel barrow through battle ridden streets. LOL)

The mod chose to remove it and I accepted his answer. (Didn't like it.) GRIN. But I accepted it.

But in this case, the closing of a thread that "might" fit better in another forum happens a lot here by several mods. Like it is a systemic policy. If it is clearly in the wrong forum, close it and explain why so others will learn. But it was a thread that could fit in more than one forum. Just move it with an explanation if that is the case.

And after I made this post, I did report the thread to see if other mods might review when no other mods commented. The luck of the draw was that bigjoe was on duty and got the report. He took into consideration my thoughts and re-opened it. I truly wouldn't have minded if he moved it to OT. And he provided an explanation in the thread why he did what he did when he closed it. My disagreement was just simply closing it because he thought it "might" better fit somewhere else.

Kudos to bigjoe. 1. He did provide an explanation when he closed it. and 2. he listened to me and considered my argument. A few months ago that would have never happened here. There was a short period here when threads were simply closed with no explanation. Thankfully that period seems to be over.

Again kudos to bigjoe and to XDA for relaxing the policy of simply slamming down the hammer and not allowing discussion.

And posting it in another patent thread would have been useless and would be buried. They are usually specific flame wars posted by fanboys from both sides. That is why I chose start a new thread in the General Forum. That is where I fell it would reach the biggest target audience.

Again to kudos to bigjoe for having an open mind. the topic of the new site is going to make a big difference (hopefully) and nip the frivolous IP phone patents in the bud for the betterment of the cell phone/tablet community which is where many of the BIG patents wars have been as of late. And those affect US specifically even though the site will help in other areas as well.