Growing up, you probably loved Halloween: Dressing up as your favorite superhero or princess, telling ghost stories, eating so much candy that your mom warned you your teeth were going to fall out. Of course, there was the trick side of the equation--the eggs you'd see slimed across some streets the morning after or the paper in someone's front-yard tree. Aahh, those were the days.

Revisit that feeling just a little (albeit the grownup version) by celebrating the terrifying tricks and delectable treats of 2008.

Which tricks and treats would you have included? Be sure to let us know.

Trick: A Scary Future for IT?

Life can seem as bleak as the end of scary movie sometimes, and we're going through one of those times. Layoffs are the word of the day; IT budgets have been slashed; Wall Street seems to be crumbling, and now there's talk of a global recession. But here's the thing: Like Jason or Freddy (only much much nicer) IT folks may get knocked down (can you say dotcom bust?) but they don't stay down; they're always back for the sequels.

Treat: IT Superheros--No Costume Required

Armed only with your BlackBerry, you use your superhuman tech gifts to fight spam and hackers and rescue dazed and confused end users. From your secret lair, you solve cryptic computer problems and create technology strategy. You may have to keep your secret identity safe by aiding only others via e-mail or phone. And what you do with a paltry budget is the stuff of legends. But listen up: Even superheroes have their kryptonite. So be sure to take care of yourself.

Trick: Cheat Death and Live to Tell About It

On August 28, Bloomberg news service made a ghastly mistake: It accidentally published Steve Jobs' obituary, which it had updated amidst Jobs' ailing appearance. Bloomberg quickly retracted the obit, but the mistake wasn't so easily undone: the media widely reported the gaffe. Then at the start of October, a (false) report appeared on CNNs iReport that Jobs had had a heart attack. We suspect that Jobs will have the last laugh when his superhuman powers (fueled by Apple technology) keep him going longer than any of us.

Treat: A Box of Shiny Apples

Apple lovers got plenty of treats in their goody bag this year. In July, the company gave us the iPhone 3G; in September, a revamped iPod line and a new version of the iPod nano. This month the company gave us the new MacBook--13 inches of unibody construction, a glass multitouch trackpad, better graphics, and an even sleeker appearance.