Just reading the software topic I can't see why it was locked,
I wouldn't have locked it, neither would I have locked the topic about Paul's training day but that's the good thing about having different moderators, they all balance each other views out to make everything fair.
Paul Simmons had the right to post about his software because it had been criticised and it is only fair that he has the right to answer that criticism, and like the piont Doug made anyone who does try and publicise their own products always come unstuck becuase most members can spot an iffy post and will respond accordingly (usually with unfavourable remarks which was the case in the software topic)