Bio: Kelvin Chua

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This Clarion Bio was originally published on the Icetips News Network

Bio: Kelvin Chua
30-Oct-2001 -- Susan Pichotta
 
This is the first in what will be an ongoing series of articles about our compadres in Clarion development. We are very pleased to feature the respected Mr. Kelvin Chua of Singapore in our very first INN biography.
 
Who do you work for?
Basically, I own a software house with a staff of 15. My company name is AccPro Computer Systems Pte Ltd , and all my products are sold under AAP R/4 registered trademark.
 
What's interesting/do you like best about what you do now?
Well... Programming has been my hobby since 1980 till now. I am doing programming as I believe that it is a better job to keep my brain working even if one fine day I get old. It is quite distressful to see old man getting retarded after the age of 50.
 
What are/has been one of your biggest challenges in using Clarion?
I do not go for challenges in using Clarion, nor do I challenge Clarion. <G> Basically, I use Clarion so that projects can be completed within shortest time possible. And as for all my projects, I keep it as simple as possible. When the project is kept simple, you can easily perfect and maintain it without much repercussions with the clients.
 
What are/has been one of your biggest challenges in business?
To keep the business going and growing. I studied history before. In all centuries, there were many empires that survived and there were also many which failed to survive. It is the natural course, the rise and declination of empires. Yes, it is basically like the lifespan of products. Thus, proper management has to be incorporated into the business to prolong its life, to flourish it, to prosper it... and in some cases, to end it if it cannot sustain anymore. We are not scientists. I am a businessman, and I talk business. It does not serve any point at all if one can write very good software, but lack marketing and management skills.
 
Do you use any computer languages besides Clarion? Why?
I use Macromedia Ultradev, ASP, Perl, Delphi 5, CodeCharge 2.0, Swish 2.0, Macromedia Flash and many others. I never believe Clarion can be used in all areas, and theoretically it can never be. I am using other computer languages because of one simple concept, "the right man for the right job".
 
When did you start using Clarion? Why?
I started using Clarion since it was in its DOS days, while running under an interpreter. I assisted my friend who was having the Clarion program to maintain their applications. Well... habitually I do programming in Clarion and as time passed, I got myself addicted to Clarion.
 
What's the coolest project(s) you've worked on using Clarion?
Basically, in trying to resolve one of my customers' manpower establishment problem, I wrote a program to calculate the costing in constructing the different types of air-conditioner ductings. The problem had tremendously reduced the time to obtain the product costing, from 6 hours to 6 minutes. That company has progressed and are making more than 1.5million of business every month now.
 
Have you done anything for a living other than software development?
I provide consultancy in chemical formulations. I originally graduated in Chemical Engineering. My previous jobs were Chemist, Laboratory Manager, Research & Development Manager, Factory Manager... Most of them are chemical related. It was due to my interest in computers that I subsequently pursued my Bachelor in Computing, followed by my Masters in Business Administration (Major in Information Technology).
 
What are your hobbies/what do you like to do when you're not using Clarion?
Besides programming in Clarion and other languages, I have no other hobbies. For leisure, to alleviate my work pressure, I play musical instruments like flute and harmonica. If ever I have nothing better to do, I would choose to be a monk. In this mundane world, nothing is eternal. At the end of the events, everything will come to naught, the same as it started from naught. I would not talk religion here but just to recite a phrase:
 
.."If a man makes himself as he teaches others to be, then being himself well subdued, he may subdue (others); one's own self is indeed difficult to subdue."
 
Married, children, grandchildren, other close family you want to mention?
I am the twin brother of my twin brother who is holding a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration. Our joy and motive in pursuing academic qualifications are the same, <G> to show each other that we are the better half. But... it was only recently that we realized that we are equally stupid. <VBG>.
 
Where were you born?
I was born in Singapore. I understand that we were born very poor. We were left naked on the wooden bed, no blankets for weeks. Well... who cares... I do not remember a darn thing...<G>
 
Where do you live now?
Singapore.
 
What's interesting about where you live?
There is nothing really interesting here in Singapore.

But... it is rather safe and cultured here.
 
Have you lived any other interesting places?
Well.. I stayed in Indonesia and Malaysia for a period of time. Both countries are really interesting, especially their unique culture.
 
Anything else you want to mention?
Anything? Well... I love Clarion! It saved me when I failed my business, thus I always try to save it from being hurt. <G> They said, "Don't bite the hand that is feeding you!" <VBG>

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Clarion Magazine ISSN 1718-9942