Our social life is expanding much faster than we imagined it would. The increasing number of followers on Twitter, long-lost childhood friends on Facebook, recommendations on LinkedIn, location updates on FourSquare, the much required chat, updating posts on Google Buzz and the latest addition, Google+. Yes, there is a lot to virtual socialising-and it's making life that much more complicated. Having multiple tabs opened on the Net browser to access these sites or installing and switching between different applications for each is not always practical any longer. So it makes smart sense to go in for a single platform that customises everything for you on a single page. This will not only save time but also eliminate the effort of switching among various clients. With a lot many applications, browser extensions, desktop clients and online sites playing in this domain, you can choose the one on the basis of the social networking sites you would wish to visit regularly. Also, once installed or accessed, some of these save your networking accounts login id and password, thus eliminating the tiny hassle of entering details every time you start your PC.
1) Yoono
With over five million downloads, this is a multiplatform client. Available as a web browser app for Chrome and Firefox, you would need to install the extension. A Yonoo icon appears next to the URL bar that gives instant access to a web page with side bars for connecting to various social networking sites. It handles multiple clients, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, Google Buzz, Flickr, MySpace, AIM, Foursquare, Yahoo! Chat, Gtalk and FriendFeed currently. Yoono is also available as a desktop client and an application for the Apple iPhone.
2) Seismic Web
Those who don't wish to install a desktop client or a web browser extension will love this. What others do with a single installation, Seismic does with a simple login. As with your Gmail login, you need to create an account to access sites like Twitter, Facebook, Google Buzz, Linkedin, FourSquare and Chatter. The web page gets divided into equal columns whenever you add a social networking account. Along with sound notifications, one can choose the background colour from white or black.
3) Hootsuite
This one dashboard accessible from the web browser comes in two options-free and paid service. The free service allows user to create an account and connect to Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Wordpress, MySpace, Foursquare and Mixi. With multiple networks added, it doesn't divide the page into coloumns to adjust them side by side, but within the web page, tabs are created for every networking site. This service is also used for analysing and monitoring social media efforts. It is available as an app for download on iOS, including on the iPhone and iPad, Android phones and BlackBerry phones.
4) Tweetdeck
One of the most popular applications for Apple's iOS and Google's Android, Tweetdeck is also available as a desktop client along with a limited beta version for the web. The mobile app gives access to four sites- Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Google Buzz. In addition to the mentioned four, the desktop includes two more- LinkedIn and MySpace.
5) Flipboard
Available for download on the Apple iPad, this is a good looking application that keeps you connected to your social world but it comes with a fresh look and appeal. Used for accessing Twitter and Facebook feeds, the page is divided into various boxes that makes it look like an e-magazine. And just as we flip the page of any book, over here the same gesture takes one to the next page.
6) Windows Live Messenger
It's not just extensions and applications that can do this job. Some time back, Microsoft integrated social networking in its Messenger. Labelling it a "dashboard", Windows Live Messenger connects users with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn accounts to share updates, view photos and to synchronise updates across networks. Users can also chat with the Facebook friends from the Messenger itself.
7) Nimbuzz
Nimbuzz doesn't need an introduction. It has been in existance for years now, and is still the first choice of many users. Available across platforms-mobile applications, PC and Web solutions-it is a perfect way to connect to your friends. Using Nimbuzz, you can import friends from various network to a single meeting place. Nimbuzz gives access to popular networks such as Yahoo!, GTalk, Twitter, Facebook, MSN Messenger and MySpace.
8) Digsby
This is a three-in-one solution for accessing instant messaging, social networking and email notification. On downloading, you will find a skinny rectangular box on the side of the monitor offering options. IM clients including AIM, Yahoo, Google Talk, Facebook Chat, etc, along with email support for Gmail, Yahoo, AOL/AIM MAIL, IMAP and POP. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn are also on board.
