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samizdat

   of disseminating documentation via underground channels.
   Originally referred to photocopy duplication and distribution of
   banned books in the former Soviet Union; now refers by obvious
   extension to any less-than-official promulgation of textual
   material, esp. rare, obsolete, or never-formally-published computer
   documentation.  Samizdat is obviously much easier when one has
   access to high-bandwidth networks and high-quality laser printers.
   Note that samizdat is properly used only with respect to documents
   which contain needed information (see also hacker ethic, the)
   but which are for some reason otherwise unavailable, but *not*
   in the context of documents which are available through normal
   channels, for which unauthorized duplication would be unethical
   copyright violation.  See Lions Book for a historical example.