from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
Halloween Documents
n.
A pair of Microsoft internal strategy memoranda leaked to ESR in late
1998 that confirmed everybody's paranoia about the current {Evil
Empire}. These documents praised the technical excellence of {Linux}
and outlined a counterstrategy of attempting to lock in customers by
"de-commoditizing" Internet protocols and services. They were
extensively cited on the Internet and in the press and proved so
embarrassing that Microsoft PR barely said a word in public for six
months afterwards.