Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
The average Facebook user spends 6 hours a day checking his page and messages: true or false? False, but not by much, at least in our experience. There are all kinds of ways to make the most of the time you spend on Facebook, and one of the most useful kinds is free widget-like apps that keep you signed in on Facebook and check your messages and updates. Like Desktop Facebook, for instance. This simple freeware app stays signed in to Facebook and keeps track of your Messages, Pokes, Friend Requests, and Wall Count. Clicking on any notification opens the page in Facebook. It doesn't open messages and other Facebook features on your desktop; it simply tracks your notifications. But you can park its compact window in a corner of your desktop and keep an eye on your Facebook account without having to refresh your browser every few minutes (or seconds). It requires .NET 2 or better and an active Facebook account.
Desktop Facebook's slim interface has functional tabs labeled Login, Me, and Options. We started by clicking Sign In via Facebook. Once we were logged in, a message told us we could close our browser window and return to the app. Facebook Desktop now displayed our account name and picture and listed the number of new Messages, Pokes, Friend Requests, and Wall Posts. Clicking any of them opened the appropriate page in our browser. The app offers a few options, including Start with Windows and Automatically Log In When Available. You can also set the frequency with which Facebook Desktop checks for updates and choose between Scroll Bar and Multiline options for Tabs. We found the Multiline display a bit less confusing at first, but the scrolling view is probably what most users will settle on, and it's the default choice.
Facebook Desktop worked fine in 32-bit Windows, but the app displayed an error message in 64-bit Windows 7 (Compatibility Mode) and failed to log on to our Facebook page. Facebook Desktop is free and uninstalls cleanly, though, so we recommend trying it for yourself, if you like the idea.
Publisher's Description
From EricZhang:
Don't bother refreshing your Facebook profile a hundred times. Facebook Desktop allows you to receive notifications with new wall posts, messages, friend requests, and pokes straight from your desktop. Just cause you're not on the website doesn't mean you're not on Facebook. Requires .NET Framework 2.0 This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
2.7 starsout of 19 votes
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Current version:
2.7 starsout of 19 votes
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My rating:
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"This program does not download on WindowsXP"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
none-it does not work with windows XP-must use a different OS
Cons
not compatible with Windows XP
Summary
this program does not download with WindowsXP message comes up saying Not Compatible with WindowsXP-must use different OS-this a new program-the old one did work with Windows2000, but recently I bought anew computer which has WindowsXP-the other computer had Windows 2000-this program worked well with it, but not with this one
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"Great I just Love it"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
Get your information asap no waiting or refreshing.
Cons
have not found any yet
Summary
Still new to this but so far I like it.
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"nice but limited"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
shows all that i am interested in seeing, with features to start in boot and automatically login
Cons
all notifications are only shortcuts to Facebook on your browser and I dont understand the wall posts it says i have 59 but i dont have any new and i have more than 59 total and when you click it, it opens the hame page in your browser
Summary
convenient but just a short cut link with unexplained number of wall posts
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"es algo muy interesante y de mucha ayuda para la comuni"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
todo lo que ofrece
Cons
no es muy facil de manejar para los que no tenemos tanta experiencia
Summary
no tengo comentario al respecto todavia no lo eh utilizado
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"can't uninstall it!!"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
I didn't see anything!!!
Cons
In my country I have to surf anonymously to use Facebook so I have to change the proxy. It does not provide me with the service and I can't even uninstall it!!
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"Crappy product!"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
Wouldent work!
Cons
seems to be a bit sketcky
Summary
dont waste your time, made by one person and couldent get it to connect, on install it wanted to access my computer! SKETCHY!
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"Doesn't work"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
Nothing at all
Cons
Doesn't work
Summary
Installed OK & appeared to setup OK, but ultimately it didn't do anything, didn't respond to facebook updates, didn't even register me as available on facebook chat. Waste of time.
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"Saves time and is easy to use."
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
Ease of use
Cons
A little large to go on desktop
Summary
It would be a lot nicer if it was a little smaller for the desktop. It takes up quite a bit of space.
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"The desktop aervice i like"
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
I like facebook
Cons
manuvering around the site i don't understand
Summary
Facebook is Facebook
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"It's ok but isn't much of a use to me..."
Version: Facebook Desktop 1
Pros
I liked the toolbar icon...
Cons
I hate the fact that u can't do anything with FB using the application itself instead of links to the FB website. And they window is a bit too small (it looks messy), and is not re-sizable.
Summary
It's unnecessary. And I've only been using it for 20 minutes and have got to discover all it's features... Pretty much nothing.
