Microsoft Open-Sources Comic Chat, the 1990s Comic-Strip Chat Client

Microsoft Open Source / Hacker News·medium signal

Microsoft released the source for Comic Chat (Microsoft Chat), its 1996-era IRC client that rendered conversations as comic-strip panels, on July 16, 2026. The HN thread hit 754 points / 161 comments, the day's top story — driven largely by nostalgia and discussion of licensing, the 'Comic Sans origin' lore, and preservation of retro Windows software. Low direct builder utility, but a strong signal of community interest in code archaeology and permissive re-releases of historic MS software.