Frank Moore is 53 year old Analytical Chemist who works as a project scientist at POCO Graphite, Inc. in Decatur, TX. Frank’s hometown is Philadelphia Pennsylvania, He is one of the most active member on orkut, many highly active communities on orkut like , “Astronomy” “Home Brewing” and “Classical Music” is under Franks’ ownership or either his moderation.

We are going to talk with one of Orkut’s the most stupendous and intellectual personalities.

Welcome to OrkutHeroes.com Frank.

Greeting, Zazo, and thank-you for bestowing this honor upon me. I would also like to extend my greetings to the other members of your community. Although…

You leave me blushing horribly, at your characterization of me.

Please tell us about your life, your education and childhood, how was those school days?

I’m the sixth of eight children… four brothers and three sisters. We were all born in a small County Seat, Indiana, PA, near where my Father grew up. It was an idyllic childhood there, as we lived in a large house, with a large property, about six miles (10km) outside of town.

I was the first child in our family to not attend Parochial (Catholic) School during grades K-6. Actually, I did attend Kindergarten there, but early into First Grade, my Father pulled me out because the Nuns were trying to force me to me right handed. This was a common practice in Parochial Schools in the old days, but my Father would have none of it. This was a great relief to me, and I attended Public School from then on.

During the Summer of 1965, we moved to suburban Philadelphia, in south Jersey. Cherry Hill, NJ to be exact. I love Philadelphia very much, which is why I refer to it as my “Hometown”. Besides the fact that no one knows where Indiana, PA is. LOL

It was very difficult for me to adjust to suburban life, after having lived in the country for the first ten years of my life. But I grew to enjoy it and especially having the beach and ocean only about an hour’s drive away.

It was in Cherry Hill that I completed my years in Public School; graduating from Cherry Hill High School East in 1973.

Both my experiences growing up in Indiana, where I use to spend a lot of time exploring our property, the surrounding woods, fields and creeks… along with my summers at the Jersey Shore later on… stimulated my intense interest in Nature and feed my desire to become a Scientist.

I also began to play Clarinet in 2^nd Grade, and was in Band and Orchestra through High School. During High School, where I was also in the Marching Band, I took up Bass and Contrabass Clarinet. Mostly because there was almost no competition for “chair position”. I’ve never been a highly competitive person.

For my undergraduate degree, I went to Southampton College, on the south fork of eastern Long Island, New York State, in 1973. At that time, Southampton was affiliated with Long Island University.

I began with the intent of obtaining a degree in Marine Sciences. Due to my changing interests during my four year there, however, I matriculated in 1978 with a degree in Invertebrate Zoology with an emphasis in Entomology and Parasitology.

How your interest in orkut started? I believe it’s not so much trendy in United States as compared to India and Brazil. Are you active in other social networking sites too?

Interesting question. Well, a good friend of mine was working for Google when Orkut was started, back in Jan. ’04. He sent me an invitation (anyone else remember when Orkut was by invitation only??) to join. I was entirely unfamiliar with the concept of Social Networking Websites then, and thought it a pretty cool idea.

I especially liked the idea of “Communities”, and joined several which interested me. In fact, most of the Communities I own are those I took over from Owners who no longer wished to take care of them.

Most of the other original friends I had here at Orkut have left. And I must admit that, while I never removed my account, I didn’t participate here for about six months during ’05. But I then realized that one of the main reasons I had joined Orkut was to meet, and get to know, people from elsewhere in the World.

I’ve meet many interesting people here, and some have become good friends of mine.

I do have accounts at MySpace and Facebook, but rarely login to them. MySpace seems too egocentric, built around fancy Profiles, with graphics and music files.

Facebook seems to be more about playing silly games with other friends. I just can’t get into it.

I much prefer the Orkut Communities, where people can engage in discussions on a wide variety of subjects and areas of common interest.

This may be partly because I am in one of the oldest “age groups” in Orkut, and my previous experiences were with Internet Bulletin Boards. I’ve been an Admin and Mod at several BB’s since the early ‘00s, although, most are not nearly as active as they use to be.

How you would take “Social Networking” as a tool for bringing people close? What are your comments on this new internet era of Social Networking?

I believe Social Networking is a fantastic tool for helping people from various cultures and nations to bet to know each other directly, as individuals. I feel quite strongly about this point.

Many people only know about others elsewhere, from Government propaganda, or absurd stereotypes they may hear from friends, family, teachers (very unfortunate, but true) or others they come into contact with.

I had the good fortune to get to know several Iranians (though most that I met prefer to be called Persian) during the early days of Orkut. A few, through the Classical Music community I now own. Others were just curious to know a “Yankee”.

It was quite refreshing to meet these people directly, and to discuss the problems and hopes we share in common. They were as pleased to know that most Americans do not hate Iranians, nor wish them harm, as I was to learn the same from them about their attitudes toward Americans.

Now though, I can only contact most of these People through e-mail and Instant Messaging, as Tehran continues to block access to Social Networking sites. This is very sad!

I have also had many encounters with Brasilians who were vehemently anti-US and anti-Yankee. By engaging them in calm, rational dialog, I’ve been able to persuade many of them that their concepts of the US and Yankees in general, are not, for the most part, factual. Several of them have since become good friends as well.

In conclusion… I believe that Social Networking is one of the best ways for we, as individuals, to help break down the barriers that our respective Governments often try to build between us.

What benefits you have got from Orkut as a social networking site?

Almost too numerous to list. LOL!

Through communities, I’ve broadened my knowledge of many subjects which interest me. I’ve learned a lot about bread making, beer brewing, Astronomy, Classical Music, Opera, etc. In fact, a good Bengali friend of mine in Kolkata, knows considerably more about Classical Music than I do, even though I’ve been a lifelong devotee. And… He’s only 18!

I’ve also broadened my understanding of other cultures, their histories and languages. I love history, and I also love to cook. Learning more about these from people who are actually a part of that cultural tradition is a great benefit to me.

And while I’ve never had a head for languages… Took years of French in school and never did very well… I’ve at least been able to learn a few simple words of greeting and friendship in Portuguese and Hindi. A little Bengali also. I’ve always considered it a simple matter of courtesy and respect, to be able to greet a person in their native language.

Overall though… I think the prime benefit to me is a simple matter of meeting and getting to know others from around the World. To know that, despite our difference of culture, religion, or political views…

We have much more in common, than differences.

You are really active in some communities of yours or under your moderation but the strange thing is that these communities are quiet different from each other, subject wise. Like Astronomy, Classical Music, Home Brewing etc. How do you manage?

LOL!! Well, Zazo… I come from a long line of Dilettantes. (And that is not a derogatory word in my dictionary). My Father was a brilliant man, and could hold a conversation on just about any subject. I admired him greatly, and always wanted to be like him.

Sunday Dinner was a major event in our house when we were growing up. After dinner conversation at the table, was the highlight of the evening. (My parents refused to have a TV until 1963). Many topics came from items in the News or a subject of study at school.

As a result, I’ve always had an insatiable appetite to learn new things, and increase my knowledge. There are few things which don’t fascinate me in some way. Oh…

And a friend of mine got me into Home Brewing a few years ago. Being a chemist, it’s a lot of fun!

But if I may say as well…

There is much more to good Moderation than having knowledge of the subject for which a Community may exist. It often, has more to do with helping the community run smoothly. Defraying arguments which may have turned to personal denigrations… Applying community Guidelines as necessary… Reporting blatant Spam and Trolling… etc. I frequently contact the Owner and/or other Mods of those Communities in which I’m a Moderator, if I have questions concerning an action I am considering taking.

Frank what is your favorite pass time activities?

During the workweek, I spend most evening on the Internet… Orkutting… e-mail correspondence… Bulletin Boards. I’m also addicted to documentaries, so while I’m at my PC, I’m also watching TV. History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic.

On weekends, I like to cook (I forgot to mention that I also watch a lot of shows on Food Network) and homebrew, when I start to run out.

Saturday evenings, I frequently get together with a few friends to do some grilling and watch Sci-Fi and Horror movies.

When I lived in southern California… I took a transfer here to Texas in ’95, I was a lot more physically active outdoors. Beaches, mountains, camping, hiking, off-roading. The area of Texas in isn’t conducive toward outdoor recreation, so I’ve become much more sedentary. LOL!

What you would change in orkut if you get a chance to be an Administrator for 1 day?

Loaded question! I think, overall, I would like to implement some of the features of the best Internet Bulletin Boards I’ve participated in over the years. Coming from the perspective of an Owner and Mod…

· A closed section of Communities where the Owner and Mods can communicate about problems, make suggestions, reach consensus on an action issue

· The ability to close a Topic to further posts, either temporarily or permanently

· Archive Communities, through download, as a hedge against potential hacking or Orkut FUBARS

· The ability to edit posts.

As an Orkut member…

· Stop trying to make Orkut more like MySpace and Facebook.

What is the best thing in orkut which makes it different from other social networking sites?

For me, it’s the emphasis on Communities. Also, it’s relative ease of use, for new members.

What are your future plans? Where we could see Frank Moore in next 5 years?

Well… Overall I enjoy my job (even if I’d rather still be in southern California) and have had a good career. In five year, I hope to still be with Poco Graphite, Inc. and be that much closer to being able to retire.

At 53… I’m content with my life and myself as a person. Very much looking forward to retiring at 65 or 67, and finally doing all the things I’ve put off, as I save for the future.

I have tentative plans to buy a house with my sister Marianne and her Husband, for a primary residence in retirement. We get along well and I often visit them at Holidays. I’ll also be spending much more time at a vacation home my brother Dennis and I own in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Other than that…

I’d like to travel to, and spend some time in, Brasil and India. Perhaps meet some of my Orkut friends there and experience their cultures first hand.

The happiest day of your life?

Difficult question to answer. As a person who comes from a family of long lived people…

I expect to live at least another 53 years more. So, hopefully… The happiest day in my life has yet to come. However…

Of the life I’ve lived so far, I think the happiest was the day I got my first job after college and was able live as a fully independent adult. Yes… That was quite sweet! I could barely pay rent and buy food, but I was out on my own, and that was an exciting time.

Your philosophy for life

Much of my Philosophy of Life is stated in my Orkut Profile, albeit worded under the guise of my Alternate reality, “LabRat”.

1) Why be Normal?
2) The World is more Interesting when One has a Slightly Skewed Perspective of Reality
3) Be your own Best Friend first
4) The Meaning of our Life is the Meaning it Acquires, through the Life we Lead
5) View the World through the Eyes of a Child, and You will Never be Bored

Additions would be…

6) Keep an open mind, but question everything

7) Help others when you can, as best as you are able

8 ) Strive to do something, no matter how small, to help make the World a better place

9) Accept others, and celebrate their differences as part of the wonderful diversity of Humanity

10) Do unto others, as you would have others, do unto you.

(This principle is called “The Golden Rule” in Western culture, although I know it is also a fundamental precept in many other cultures as well)

What career would you have chosen, if you had not become an Analytical Chemist?”

WOW!  Another very difficult question for me.  The path which led me to a career in Analytical Chemistry had so many twists and turns, I could see myself having followed several different paths.

My undergraduate studies began with Marine Science, with the intent to become a Marine Biologist.  Early on, I can under the tutelage of my mentor and advisor, Dr. Edward Irving Coher, whose specialty was Entomology and Parasitology.  He had spent many years with WHO (World Health Organization) and traveled all over the world with them in the ‘50s and ‘60s working on Malaria eradication.  Nepal, Bhutan, India, Iran, Amazonian Brasil.  (Quite an adventurer… considering he was about 1.6m tall, chubby, and wore thick glasses.) An incredibly fascinating man!

I became enamored with  both Entomology and Parasitology, and decided to pursue these in Graduate School.  However…

My first job after matriculating with my BS was in an Analytical Lab, and I discovered I had a knack for instruments and troubleshooting methodologies.  That led to my lifelong career.

So… I could see myself having continued on with Parasitology and have become a research on the diseases caused by Parasites and their Insect vectors.

I’ve also said previously that I love to cook.  There is much in common between cooking and a chemistry experiment.  Adding certain ingredients at specific times and temperatures… Mixing ingredients properly and for a specific times… etc.  I love the entire process of cooking.  I find something quite relaxing in playing with different recipes; adding my own nuances.  Or completely experimenting to create something new.  So, yes…

As I say in my Orkut Profile, I think I might have become a Chef if I hadn’t become a Chemist.

The past few years in which I’ve learned to brew beer and ale at home, also indulges the playful, experimental, “Mad Scientist” aspect of my nature.  If I had known more about this in my younger days… I might have gone on to study Zymology (the study of fermentation) and become a Brewmeister.

So many things I can see myself have followed as a career.  I did mention earlier that I’m a Dilettante, did I not?  LOL!!  Pin me to one choice though and I would say, yes…

I would have been a Chef.

Thanks Frank for giving your precious time and answering the questions to make this interview a success.

Thank-you likewise, Zazo. It’s privilege to be Profiled alongside so many other, more notable, Orkut members and Community Owners, such as my dear friend Michelle.