Actually, there was no single motivation or test case for this update. It was one of those odd moments where it's not a concern for anyone, then multiple similar issues pop up all around the same time.
And while I agree that the consequences are extreme, there's really no way that this can be considered a "crime of passion." Many times people will say hurtful or offensive things on forums and click submit before they even think. When it comes to proxy posting or account hopping, that requires pre-meditation, and possibly even enlisting an accomplice.
In short, there is no other way to interpret this behavior as anything but a deliberate and willful attempt to thumb one's nose at the rules and regulations of the forums.
Another way it differs from other types of forum offenses is that there is no "sliding scale." When we say "No flaming," there isn't a list of each and every manner of flaming possible. Sadly, people are just too inventive when it comes to thinking of ways to be cruel to their fellow human beings. But with suspensions, it's a binary equation. Either you're active, or suspended. There's no room for interpretation, and there's no subjectivity.
And lastly, the consequence is as serious as it is as a deterrent. A significant portion of folks (but no, not all of them) account hop or proxy post in a deliberate attempt to play "Catch me if you can" with mods and admins, not because they've decided to change their ways and put an end to the habits that got them a suspension in the first place. We don't have time to for such shenanigans, and the penalty set for these offenses proves it.
Proxy posting is not a habit that people should get into, but at this point I will clarify that you'll only get the boomstick for doing so on behalf of a suspended user, and doing so in a public forum. I have no qualms with receiving private messages in this format (although it's impractical because the person could just reach me via the email system, and I won't discuss disciplinary issues when there's an unrelated intermediary involved).
Sounds a bit excessive, but ok.
A question, what about posting for people who have said goodbye (like some posters have done) or otherwise quoting posters from other forums or the like, who may no longer be here?
If you think there's something worth citing, and it just so happens to have been authored by someone who's been suspended from these forums, I suggest putting it into your own words. If you really, really just HAVE to quote it, include a URL to the source material. I'd like to see that it really was part of a seperate discussion in a seperate venue before showing up on these boards. But frankly, if I were to get even the slightest hint that this method was simply being used to facilitate proxy posting for bannees, it will be curtailed as well.
- Ash