Facebook has now overtaken Google as the most visited site on a daily basis. Though I believe that it doesn’t make sense to block or prohibit the use of facebook/other social networking tools at work, we know that many offices do. That’s fair on their part but there are several tools available that will help you access facebook in many ways other than the browser. If you’re embarrassed loading up the facebook page all the time on your browser, these tools are for you.

Though many of us are facebook addicts, not many of us know that you don’t necessarily have to logon to facebook every time to do everything. Of course, everyone prefers the straight way out logon to facebook, get updates, upload photos etc, that’s what we were taught. But there are several gems of free software available that will help us do almost all the things on facebook without actually logging in to the facebook page. Quite handy if you want to save time and most importantly, don’t get distracted. Let’s take a look.

1. Scrap Boy

Scrap boy is a one stop application for many social networking sites such as facebook/myspace or even orkut. It lets you access the site and do all the regular stuff such as facebook chat/ commenting / status updates etc. Basically everything you do on facebook through a different application.

2. The Facebook Toolbar

This guy sits in your browser, however gives you updates on the go. You don’t have to keep refreshing or clicking on your homepage link to see what the updates are. Save loading the facebook page itself, if that saves you from some embarrassment at the office, and get updates on the toolbar.

3. Bubbles – Facebook Desktop Application

Bubbles turns Facebook into a desktop application with easy access and notification features, without having to change your browser, or the way you interact on Facebook. A tray icon and minimize to tray for Facebook as any other application, tray notifications on all your Facebook news feed events, such as photos, invitations, friends status changes and more.

4. Seesmic for Facebook

I love all seesmic apps, they’re awesome in all respects ! And Seesmic for facebook is no different. It uses Facebook Connect to let you update your status and view friend status updates without surfing to the Facebook site itself. Very handy and useful !

5. FB Look

So you’re in office  and the software you spend most of your time with is Outlook. Okay, then FB Look is for you. It sits right in Outlook and gives you updates on your friends status updates and also lets you update yours right from Outlook. Did I mention that your boss would never figure this out ?

Screenshot via – Techhit.com

6. Facebook Quick – Desktop Application

This guy does four things precisely. And that’s all we ask really.

1. Receive instant profile notifications on your desktop
2. Stay connected with your friends, groups, and events
3. Monitor your Facebook profile without a web browser
4. Enjoy all the fun facebook has to offer plus more!

Now having said that, watch out for that geek at your office, he probably knows all these stuff. As for the others you’re safe, your boss will never know that you’re a facebook addict.