There IS a desktop version.... And a v2 is to be released...
https://steemit.com/esteem/@good-karma/esteem-announce-release-of-desktop-app

To make v1 work, read @goog-karma reply on my question in v2..
https://steemit.com/esteem/@good-karma/esteem-desktop-v2-sneak-preview-as-promised-201755t205645424z

I still had to use web browser to find the posts and even to reply this post (there is no reply button for comments, at least in this post)