Bio: Maurice Pilotte

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Bio: Maurice Pilotte
13-Feb-2002 -- Susan Pichotta
 
If you like covered bridges, you will enjoy this week's INN Bio interview. If you're not familiar with covered bridges, you get a chance to see some great examples. Oh, yeah, and we also talk about Clarion... This week's featured developer hails from the "New England" area of the United States. He talks about OOP and the ACCEPT statement, and a really cool calendar he's written. And we get to hear about those beautiful old bridges, too. :)
 
Who do you work for?
JMP Software provides contract programming in Clarion.
I prefer to not do consulting. I like solving problems with programming - just me and the computer.
 
What do you like best about what you do now?
What I like best about programming is that it can be a constant learning process. There is always something I haven't tried yet, but there just isn't enough time to get to it all. The Clarion community on the Internet provides many resources to help with the learning process from tips on which embed to use to information about a Windows API call or a reminder about a forgotten Clarion function to sample code that might reveal a useful programming technique. I try to take it all in to improve my knowledge and skills.
 
What has been one of your biggest challenges in using Clarion?
After all those years with an ACCEPT statement, I had a difficult time grasping the concept of event-driven programming in Windows. OOP was another concept that took me a while to understand. I got past those hurdles and I now look forward to the time when the light goes on for INTERFACE. Oh yes, another challenge has been trying to figure out all of the acronyms used in newsgroup messages. I'm glad that someone started a thread to list them all. <g>

 
Durgin Bridge
in Maine

 
Do you use any computer languages besides Clarion?
When I started programming I dabbled with dBase, Foxpro (pre-MS), COBOL and C. Since the release of Clarion 3 for DOS, I have been able to accomplish the task at hand with Clarion. I would like to learn C/C++ more thoroughly. I believe that this knowledge would help me with Clarion and programming in general.
 
When did you start using Clarion?
My introduction to Clarion was with DOS version 2. The programs I was using had macros to automate tasks, but this wasn't versatile enough for what I wanted to do. I saw an ad for Personal Developer and called to inquire about it. The person on the other end of the line convinced me that Clarion Professional Developer was better suited for my needs. I have every update and upgrade that came out since. I have even managed to convert a C++ programmer or two after Clarion incorporated the OOP technology.
 
What's the coolest project(s) you've worked on using Clarion?
I guess the coolest projects I have worked on are those that go beyond the browse/form paradigm of the templates and classes that come with Clarion and let me learn something new. A couple of examples might be when someone wanted a TCP server that spawned a thread to handle the interaction with the client when a new connection was made. I couldn't find anything that did this so I rolled up my sleeves and I now have a class that does.  
Stark Bridge in New Hampshire

Another time I got tired of upgrading a calendar program simply because the moon phase database had expired so I did some research on the web and now my own little calendar program can calculate moon phases, change of seasons, Easter and the holidays that are tied to it and Jewish holidays and print out a monthly planner for the refrigerator - little moon icons and all <g>. I guess my interpretation of a cool project is... well, what is it they say about simple minds? <g>
 
Have you done anything for a living other than software development?
I started working in a warehouse and driving trucks, moved on to a couple of years as an apprentice electrician and finally spent 12 years as an assistant produce manager before getting into programming.
 
What are your hobbies/what do you like to do when you're not using Clarion?
Clarion is my hobby. I am always looking to improve my knowledge and skills. There is another hobby that I share with my wife. We occasionally take off for a weekend to find covered bridges. These amazing wooden structures were built as far back as the early 1800s with most existing bridges still in use today. The exterior design varies from bridge to bridge and there are almost as many truss designs. Although the exteriors have been repaired over time, the trusses are, with a few exceptions, all original. Many of these bridges also have a history - like Emily's Bridge in Vermont
(at right) which is said to be haunted (by Emily, of course <g>).
 
Married, children, grandchildren, other close family you want to mention?
My family consists of my wife, Jackie, our 3 children and 4 grandchildren (so far). The kids are scattered all around the country so we do miss watching the grandchildren grow. At least the Internet allows them to easily send pictures on a somewhat regular basis - with a little prodding from me. <g>
 
Jackie and baby, Brad (who lives in Florida).


 
Where were you born?
New Hampshire
 
Where do you live now?
New Hampshire



 
What's interesting about where you live?
Jackie and I like to take the occasional day trip or go on a weekend getaway. Our choices are either the sandy beaches of New Hampshire and Cape Cod or the rugged coast of Maine, or we can drive through the rugged mountains of Maine and New Hampshire or the rolling hills of Vermont. Each of the four distinct seasons of New England gives any ride a whole new look. Summers are warm with relatively low humidity. Autumn brings cool, dry air along with the red, yellow and orange colors of the foliage. The falling snow in the winter can be calm and quiet and the result is a beautiful snow covered scene. Spring brings with it warmer sunshine, cool, dry air and new life to the trees and plants. Of course you have to shovel the d*&# snow and May flowers bring on swarms of pesky black flies, but I guess you can't have everything. <g>
 
Have you lived any other interesting places?
I lived in southern Virginia for a couple of years. The Civil War history there will just about jump out at you - especially if you work with someone who knows the local history and can explain the significance of every grassy mound and open field. Another thing about Virginia is the summers - it's the heat AND the humidity. <g>

 
Which person, from past or present, do you most admire and why?
I don't think I can say that I admire any one particular person, but rather I admire anyone who takes their God-given gifts and does their best - and more- with them. Too many people do only what is necessary to get by or expect everything to be handed to them and too many people refuse to accept responsibility for their own lives.
 
What is your favorite food?
Steak cooked outside on the grill. Love those carcinogens that flame up to the meat when the fat hits the briquettes. I also enjoy going out to eat with my wife. It can be a 5 star restaurant or an out-of-the-way diner. It doesn't matter as long as the food is good and the atmosphere supports conversation.
 
Holmes Creek Bridge in Vermont
 
What is your favorite drink?
Coffee. I enjoy a glass or two of red wine and for something stronger I like bourbon and Coke.
 
What is your favorite type of music?
Oldies. Golden Oldies as in 50s, 60s and early 70s. I enjoy listening to just about any type of music, but a good Motown beat can be uplifting. <g>
 
If Clarion never existed, what do you think you would be doing at this time?
Programming in another language. Programming offers me a challenge and growth in knowledge and skills that I really enjoy.
 
 
Private bridge on farm in Maine

 
Sayers Bridge in Vermont