halloween documents

1 definition found

halloween documents - 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.