FBDesktop

Pros

• While the entire friends list is available on FBDesktop's chat feature, there is also a separate list for friends you've recently chatted with.
• During chats, conversations can be minimized to the task bar, allowing for easier browsing without interruption.
• FBDesktop provides users with an easy and efficient way to view their news feed and status updates.
• The compact window allows users to leave it open on their desktop and stay up to date. No more having to keep a web browser open and refresh the page every few minutes.
• Users can choose how often FBDesktop checks for updates. Installation and uninstall are both hassle free.
• FBDesktop's slim interface is simple and easy for even beginner level users to figure out.

Cons

• While Facebook's web version allows users to see when their fellow chatters are typing, FBDesktop does not let you see when your friends are typing. Also, there is no way of knowing if your messages have been received or read.
• Chat is organized quite differently from Facebook's default web version. The list includes the entirety of your Facebook friends. They are organized according to the period in your life you met them (work, school, living area).
• If you click on the profile of a friend for viewing, FBDesktop will open the web version of Facebook and prompt you to log in.
• Instead of pinning itself to your start menu upon minimization, FBDesktop retreats to the system tray, making more work for the user when they wish to re-open it.
• There are no built in sound alerts to let users know when a message has been sent or received.

As Facebook's popularity continues to grow, more and more users find themselves wanting to be connected to their preferred social network at all times. The average Facebooker spends several hours each day on Facebook, whether it's to check their messages, update their page or read the news feed.

Enter FBDesktop. Delivering on its name, FBDesktop is the desktop iteration of the much-loved social networking site. FBDesktop allows users the ability to have constant access to their news feed, status updates from their friends and photo albums. FBDesktop also keeps track of your friend requests and any pokes you may receive.

Facebook chat, which many Facebook users consider to be the most important feature of all, is also included with FBDesktop. Pop up messages from friends get sent straight to your desktop, in a style reminiscent of Windows Live Messenger.

FBDesktop resembles other popular chatting programs and comes with three useful tabs at the top. These tabs include your friends list, recent chats, and news feeds, which are are prominently displayed. FBDesktop does not open your messages or any other Facebook features. For full access, FBDesktop will need to be used in tandem with the web version. What it does do is allow you to keep track of your notifications, without having to go through the log in process every time you wish to check your account.

Pros

• While the entire friends list is available on FBDesktop's chat feature, there is also a separate list for friends you've recently chatted with.
• During chats, conversations can be minimized to the task bar, allowing for easier browsing without interruption.
• FBDesktop provides users with an easy and efficient way to view their news feed and status updates.
• The compact window allows users to leave it open on their desktop and stay up to date. No more having to keep a web browser open and refresh the page every few minutes.
• Users can choose how often FBDesktop checks for updates. Installation and uninstall are both hassle free.
• FBDesktop's slim interface is simple and easy for even beginner level users to figure out.

Cons

• While Facebook's web version allows users to see when their fellow chatters are typing, FBDesktop does not let you see when your friends are typing. Also, there is no way of knowing if your messages have been received or read.
• Chat is organized quite differently from Facebook's default web version. The list includes the entirety of your Facebook friends. They are organized according to the period in your life you met them (work, school, living area).
• If you click on the profile of a friend for viewing, FBDesktop will open the web version of Facebook and prompt you to log in.
• Instead of pinning itself to your start menu upon minimization, FBDesktop retreats to the system tray, making more work for the user when they wish to re-open it.
• There are no built in sound alerts to let users know when a message has been sent or received.