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Richard Stallman (RMS)

by ld_barthel

Mr. Tolkien:

It has come to our attention that throughout your history of Middle Earth you make reference to "the One Ring". This terminology is misleading to the average reader, as it obscures the contributions of the Free Ringware Foundation (FRF) which made creation of the ring possible. While it is true that Sauron did forge the ring in the fires of Mt. Doom, his labors would not have achieved such recognition and success, were it not for the pre-existing accomplisments of the founders of the Free Ringware movement, such as metallurgists, miners, and goldsmiths--and to a significant degree myself, since the forge code was written using my rmacs (Ring MACroS) ringware. Furthermore, the ring was released under the GNU General Public License, version 2 (or any later version, at your option) which is why Sauron was not the only being who could invoke its power. (Although it is a pity that the info documentation was misplaced, thereby preventing Bilbo and Frodo from making full use of the ringware.)

In light of these facts, we request that you abstain from the phrase, "One Ring", and replace it with the preferred term, "GNU/One Ring". While it is acceptable to use "One Ring" to refer strictly to the metal band, "GNU/One Ring" is the proper term to use when referring to the entire GNU Ring Operating System, consisting of the central ring, the networked rings and their associated powers. (cf http://www.frf.org/WhyGNUOneRing.html ) By doing so, you will demonstrate your support of the Free Ringware movement and your solidarity with the FRF. You will also help to ensure that the FRF artisans, without whose work the ring could not have been forged, will received due credit for their labors, as well as advancing the cause of Free Ringware in society as a whole.

RMS