Ho Ho Mooee,
The letter "R" was a huge joke (intended to highlight the fallacy of non rating based systems)
The joke to me was it actually worked for a short time and actually paid for my trip to Canada.
But as you say not meant to be taken seriously and like most non rating based systems fell in a hole quickly.

What surprised me was how many "bit"and thought it was for real.

Warmest regards.
darky