Best social media software

Hootsuite is a brilliant free cross channel tool

Hootsuite seems to be a good one... 

hootsuite again. whether you use the free or pro version its far better than anything else IMO.

Thanks everyone, it looks like I'm going to have to get my head around Hootsuite (tried it once before but gave up too quickly)

is the pro version a worth while investment and is there a dedicated windows app you can download like there is with TweetDeck? I currently have Tweetdeck running all the time on a spare monitor, so ideally I would like to do the same again

There is no dedicated windows download, however you can create one sort of.

First, download Prism (https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Prism). run it, and then it will ask a few things, such as the URL. you will want to place the hootsuite dashboard URL here. (http://hootsuite.com/dashboard).

As long as you checked the option for a desktop icon etc, you will have those now. if your using windows 7 you are able to pin htis to start bar as well. One thing i will say, is if you continue using prism, to use hootsuite, stick with the default theme, as I changed my theme and some certain things dont show properly when using prism, but they do in my normal browser (firefox).

If you need any help with hootsuite feel free to either ask here por shoot me an email (matthew@socialmpromotions.co.uk)

I can't see the point of paying monthly for software like hootsuite. Once you stop paying, you lose everything.
I have no problem paying for it in 1 lump, in the same way, like MS office, for example.

I've asked for a 'pay once' version of hoostsuite for ages - so far no response.

Thanks Matthew - I will give that a go

Lee - Couldnt agree more, but the software rental business model seems to be growing with both Microsoft and Adobe trying it. I can see why software companies love it mind. Almost impossible to pirate, they get users who only want to use it a couple of times so wouldnt normally buy it outright and they get extra revenue from those who use it for an extended time

Carl, with regards to seeing everything you tweet etc... in LinkedIn you can switch off your tweets and then if you want your tweet to appear on LI you just put #li or #in in the tweet

Seen that Glenn - I was looking for something where I didnt have to remember things like the special codes (I always forget them)

Radian 6. Lol. 

Why not have the social links just on your blog?  Click on them when you want to post to the relevant social platform?

Your not looking for the easy way out are you?

Lee, what exactly would you loose when you stop paying Hootsuite? 

I would also not link all services to each other, the audiences are too different from each other. I.e no Tweets should show up on Linked-In.
Also gets boring for those who follow/watch you, they read the same stuff from you umpteenth times.

Not sure why you want a SW running locally? Social media needs the connection to the web anyway, so no point in running it local.

The free Hootsuite can support up to 5 social media profiles, but not yet self hosted WP blogs.

1, Your account(s). All the hard work you've put in setting up the accounts etc will be deleted. Switch to another system and you'll have to start again.
Also, what if the company are bought out by someone hell bent on monetising your purchases even more - you'll have no control.

2, Not sure what you mean by this. WP sites aren't 'social media' profiles.