Facebook has overtaken MSN and Yahoo messengers which were quite popular a few years ago. As more and more people switch over, its become a common practise to keep the facebook page open in your browser while your computer is on. This can get in the way when you want the browser tabs to be organized. This post features a facebook specific chat IM and a few other ways to stay logged in to Facebook chat.
Chit Chat for Facebook
Chit Chat for Facebook is a free instant messenger that allows you to login and chat with your friends on Facebook. It does not require you to have the Facebook page open and works from the system tray similar to Yahoo and Live Messenger.
The program is lightweight with a download size of only 1MB and uses about 5MB of memory while running. The interface is quite simple and easy to use. No complicated options or menu’s.
The program shows you a list of friends that are online on Facebook. It also shows you a notification when friends login or logout. This feature can get quite irritating, especailly if you play games. The notification minimizes the game. Hope the developer adds and option to disable it.
Other Ways to stay logged in to Facebook Chat Outside Facebook
1) Instant Messenger Clients
Digsby is another instant messenger that has support for Facebook. The reason I do not recommend digsby is because there have been reports of the installer coming with malware. While there is a digsby installer which doesnt not contain the additional malware, there are still reports that Digsby uses you system to run some research as discussed here.
Pidgin also has a Facebook chat plugin. This is not an official plugin, rather a user made one.
2) Online IM client
Meebo is an old and well known web messenger that supports multiple platforms including facebook. Founded in 2005, Meebo enables real-time social interactions with instant messaging and group chat at meebo.com. It also allows video chatting with Facebook friends by making use of tokbox. This can be helpful if you are at work and not allowed to install software or access Facebook. The chat will still work as the connection is made to meebo.
3) Mac Users
Mac users need not worry, Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to Facebook, AIM, MSN, Jabber & Yahoo.
If you would like to contribute to this post with more info, please do so by leaving a comment below.
I’m not Facebook user though but I guess if I were, I still wouldn’t be using the Chit Chat IM. It may be simple but if you don’t have too many Facebook friends, there’s no reason to download it. Meebo is way better as a tool for interacting with online friends (not limited to Facebook) but the web interface can be annoying at times.
I’d suggest not using this “recaptcha” thing on the comments section below. It makes it so hard to leave a comment.
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I use a great little program called Nimbuzz on my phone. Supports chatting with people on MSN, Yahoo, Facebook, Skype, and a whole bunch of others I don’t use personally.
I think the program is intended as a skype alternative, supporting SIP and stuff. But is great as a chat client.
@Mathdelane
For multi platform, I have noted Digsby and Pidgin in the post above. They support most of the chat platform out there.
I have noted Meebo as well in this post. As for recaptha, I saves me a lot of trouble from spambots. True that it is harder but it keeps the site clean. Thanks for your honest comment.
@Adam
Thanks for bringing Nimbuzz to my notice. Guess it works on Windows Mobile ? Gonna look through their site.
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
Another great tip from you. That’s true. Sometimes I cannot log out because some of my friends prefer chatting through Facebook. Thank you for the tips.:)
this tool is useful i always try to log in through this messenger
Oh man I never even knew! This is perfect! The Facebook chat is so dodgy. One minute it works the next.. kaput! Am going to give the Chit Chat one a go and will report back with my findings soon! :)
Mkcoy
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I really like your blog and i respect your work. I’ll be a frequent visitor.
Great post with great stuff.
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Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
I am really very thankful for these tips which is very useful for the readers…..
I am a facebook user for a year now. I think it would really be a nice idea to chat with friends even I am log out of facebook. I will have more chance to stay in touch with my facebook friends. Cool!
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I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
thanks… chit chat is very usefully software for facebook chat.. :D
Wow
this is very good for the facebook
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Not a bad messenger, but I have a problem, I cannot seem to see my group chat on there. I have went into preferences and ticked the show user groups and then resigned on, but all I can see is individuals and no group names, so I can talk to the full group at the same time. Can anyone help with this please. thanks
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