Bio: Pratik Patel

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Bio: Pratik Patel
20-June-2002 -- Susan Pichotta
 
After a weeks-long break, the bios are back! And we resume with a well-known Clarionite, usually identified on the newsgroups by his car... but the car in his bio is gold, not purple... hmmm. Originally from India, now at home in New Jersey, he works at being a programmer and "Mr. Mom". With one adorable son and another little one on the way, we know he stays busy! And he's included some great photos, too.
 
Who do you work for?
I've always been a contractor (since the ripe age of 15). While working on a project in Baltimore 2 years ago, I was given a very unexpected and fantastic opportunity to work from home and commute to the office once/twice a week as needed. I am able to play mr. mom and watch my son grow up. Thanx Bill!
 
What do you like best about what you do now?
We manufacture access control hardware and software. Since the security & access control industry is new to me, it's a lot of fun right now. I am able to get my hands into everything - networking, app dev, dba work, tech support - however, I still hate writing reports!
 

Me & Sapna, at my sister's wedding

What has been one of your biggest challenges in using Clarion?
Refraining from promising a client too much too fast. We all know how much easier it is with clarion - and this certainly can get you into trouble.
 
What has been one of your biggest challenges in business?
By far, time management. There simply are not enough hours in the day to handle all aspects of a business and still be productive. Especially if you are the dba, developer, admin assitant, and custodial engineer.
 
Do you use any computer languages besides Clarion?
ASP for dynamic web content because it is quite easy to use.
 
When did you start using Clarion?
1988 or somewhere around there. A week after I purchased my powerhouse 386 / 4 mb ram / 40 mb hdd - I needed to do something with it. I went back to the computer store asked the owner - and he demo'd clarion for dos v1.? - I've been addicted ever since.
 
Have you done anything for a living other than software development?
No. I started pretty young (1980) and realized I was making serious bucks with a hobby. My father had a mini - cromemco system3 - that I used to sneak into when he wasnt home and type my school reports. I taught my self basic and macro assembler. Funny thing is I got caught when I handed in a book report. The teacher showed it to my father at a parent/teacher conference. he came home, asked me where I got the report, I brought him downstairs and showed him - along with a videotape rental system I had written. Apparently they thought I had procured the report from somewhere - dot matrix printers dont print the same as typewriters busted! hehehe. I later *licensed* the video rental system to Palmer Video - one of the first video franchises in New Jersey.
 

Well it was mine during the ride home from the dealership, oh well.

 
What are your hobbies/what do you like to do when you're not using Clarion?
Travel, golf & ethnic foods. I'm trying to break 200 hundred...on my golf game and my weight.
 
Married, children, grandchildren, other close family you want

Dolled up for an evening in Old San Juan

to mention?
Wife Sapna, a fashion designer by education and an asst. executive chef by trade.
5 year old son Tirath (below), and one in the oven - timer set for August.
 
Where were you born?
Baroda, India - a little town (pop: 2 million) about 500km north west of Mumbai.
 

Belize, barrier reef - Somebody was all set to go snorkeling until they saw sharks and rays (dark spots just above the the head)

Where do you live now?
Sayreville, New Jersey. Also know to joyzeans as Bon Jovi ville - home of rock star Jon Bon Jovi.
 
What's interesting about where you live?
It is a nice town right in the middle of New Jersey - New York City 35 minutes by car, Pocono Mountains 1.5 hours, and the Jersey shore 20 minutes south.
 
Have you lived any other interesting places?
My family moved to the United States in 1970 at age 5, I lived in Hoboken, New Jersey for 2 weeks and then - haven't left Sayreville - yet :-)
 
We recently went on a 5 day scoot to Belize - crossing off #5 on life's to do list. Ambergris Caye is the most pristine and tranquil place I have experienced in the Caribbean. It is truly a place for the soul. I am ready to pack it in and open a hotel/restaurant there. Clarion DevCon in belize anyone? hmmm...

Belize, ambergris caye reef side

 
Which person, from past or present, do you most admire and why?
Gandhi. He examplifies what humans are capable of without violence and selfless action. A single man with inner peace and conviction can accomplish the seemingly impossible.
 
What is your favorite food?
Thai & Indian cuisine are the tops with me, but I will eat just about anything that doesn't move.
 

Guadeloupe, it was a *long* eight mile hike through the rainforest but well worth it.

What is your favorite drink?
The perfect concoction for a hot summer day - fresh squeezed sugar cane juice w/ grated ginger, lime juice and a touch of salt. If you've ever had it, it is something you will *never* forget. But the traditional black & tan ranks up there as well.
 
What is your favorite type of music?
I must confess, I am a die hard rivet head. Kiss, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Dokken. I fancy other genre as well except hip hop and country bluegrass.
 
What is your favorite book? Movie?
Book: "The Prince" by Machiavelli
 
English movie: Romancing the Stone
 
Hindi movie: Bombay (inspired by the Hindu/Muslim riots during mid 1990's) a MUST SEE - the dvd has subtitles. <g>
 
If Clarion never existed, what do you think you would be doing at this time?
Putting my International Finance MBA or Marketing degrees to use.
 
Anything else you want to mention?
I can't thank the newsgroup community enough. I have learned so much about Clarion and other things as well.
 

Belize, secluded island maybe 20ftx40ft just near Blue Hole

 

St. Lucia, aboard a friend's 48 ft. catamaran, this was one of the most interesting pallettes for a sunset I have ever seen.

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Clarion Magazine ISSN 1718-9942