I joined the 3Js originally over 10 years ago, and have gradually watched it wither from a fairly lively and well-frequented site into what I always predicted - the day lounge of the "Bide-A-Wee" Old Folks home.

I used to be a regular poster, but I can barely even bring myself to look in these days - it's so depressing and thoroughly elderly and predictable.

The moderators of this site have been lax in allowing both the Bar and the Backroom to turn into rooms of reminiscence. The very occasional modern topic alas peters out within days, unless it turns into the predictable US-bashing which usually can last almost a week.

The site itself is a dinosaur - for which DCT cannot be blamed. Why should they spend a penny on developing a site which is only frequented by a few habitual old folk who'd only complain that 'they preferred it the way it was.'??

We, the members, have to take collective responsibility for the poor state of the 3Js. Use it or lose it.

Personally, my recommendations would be:

- Close the Backroom.

- Give the site a 'coat of fresh paint.'

- Encourage membership by printing the details in the Courier (website & hard copy)

- Make a link to be able to submit 3Js posts for publication in the Courier.

- Stir it up! - less of the rubbin-oot. A bit of a stooshie gets reactions, keeps it vibrant and hopefully current.

- Send an email to ALL registered users encouraging them to join in - if there's no reply, don't count them as a member. No point saying there's 2,000 members if there is really only 20.

Without this, or a similar shake-up, the future of the 3Js is surely pointless. I mean, as it stands right now, just what is the point of the 3Js?

The Dundee Forum can get quite lively at times. Yes there is contraversy, sometimes mudslinging, sometimes insults, but isn't that how we interact and converse? That is not permitted in the 3Js.

Should the 3Js die, there's always Dundee Forum or Secret Dundee on facebook.

I think the 3 j's like a lot of ideas get stale and need refreshing from time to time.

Look at Top Gear 4-5 years ago it was on it's knees.

1 Aircraft, hangar, race track and other antics later, a new lease of life.

However, if it is still about Dundee, past, present, future, the people and all the marvelous things we are very lucky to enjoy as Dundomians, that will do for me.

Regards

AM

:()

Firstly, you know very well that I'm not having a go at you personally for just being old. The 3Js today is not the same site it was 10 years ago. There IS NO lively modern debate anymore. I have tried several times over the years to flog this dying horse, but the comments from the likes of Sir Mid are always the same - "away wi' ye, and leave us be!". Well sorry, but the 3Js is not an exclusive haunt for auld-timers. I can and I will rattle the cage if I want to.

My point is this - if DCTs are not doing anything to promote the 3Js, or encourage new membership, or encourage lurkers to join in, what will happen to the 3Js? Any club needs members, and this one 'don't got none.'

The fact is, that for the dozen or so regular posters, it may be "just fine" but it's plain as the nose on your face that it ain't of any interest to anyone else. So, Sir Mid, before you shout me down, ask yourself this:

Do you want the 3Js to be like Granpaw Broon's bench? A semi-private wee clubbie for you guys to sit and remenisce until you've all fallen off the perch? Because, whether intentionally or not, that's what you lot have made it. Or should we encourage new blood and liven it up a bit? That's all I'm asking.

cheers scotty

highland on 02-Nov-99 04:15:26
Lets have a head count. How many's out there from "Bonnie Dundee?" Also, name any Dundonians you know living near your part of the world!! #1 highland, living in Montana for the last 14 yrs. Met a guy from Kirton, named Dan Henderson who also lives in Montana.

lochee on 02-Nov-99 04:50:40
Jim Wilkie,living in Winnipeg mb.Ehm fae Lochee though,dis that coont Lochee

SUSAN MORGAN on 02-Nov-99 05:22:29
My name is John J Smith fae Kirkton living in Houston Texas

Bill Charlton on 02-Nov-99 10:19:14
Bill Charlton, Watson St., later in Kirkton and Glamis Road. Wife Glenda (nee Cardwell) Constitution St., later Baldovie Toll. One of my neighbours is George Smith of Hunter Street (1953)

james on 02-Nov-99 11:59:21
james hepburn brought up in dryburgh 70s/80s married life in polepark early 90s now down under

Therese on 02-Nov-99 12:37:08
I'm from Lochee. No Dundonians, that I know of where I live in Indiana.

midser on 02-Nov-99 13:12:54
Dave and Diane (forfar)Mitchell. Ont. frae Mid-criagie also Doug (Piper) McGhee Midser. now in Orangville. Ont. Ron & Jean McLevy Abbotsford St. Now in Toronto. Good thread idea. Dave.

scotty57 on 02-Nov-99 18:31:28
Bob Neave brought up in Wallace brae,then Douglas camme to California in 65 my wife Evelyn is from Dundee Kirton, and we have a friend Geraldine from St Mary's who lives a few miles from here

maureenbrian on 02-Nov-99 20:29:09
Hi, I am from Dundee living in Winnipeg. Ginnie and Roy Penman from Kirkton.

kipper on 02-Nov-99 23:42:15
Kipper fae Lochee/Arbroath. Now bidin half the year in Louisiana half in Brasil.

John Halliday on 03-Nov-99 01:34:08
Hi em fae Dundee(Doon toon)& Douglas.
Mi wife Janet (Liddell)Dundonald St & St Marys.

bruceh on 03-Nov-99 01:49:46
Bruce Hendry, from Kirkton now living in Woodstock, New Brunswick Canada I've been here now close to 29 year and work as a Probation Officer

Brian Chalmers on 03-Nov-99 03:31:49
Hi, My wife and I left Dundee nearly 22 years ago. The missus, Margaret (nee MacIlravey)is from Lochee and myself from Downfield. Both lived in "Wintry Fintry" before we left. Now live in Rockingham Western Australia and we know off at least 20 Dundonians living here. Brian in oz

Linda on 03-Nov-99 03:43:18
I'm from Kirkton. Now sunny s. Manitoba.

Helen Webb on 03-Nov-99 03:48:14
Hi, I moved to Edmonton, Alberta in 1972. Lived on Strathmartine Road (Dad had a store there, I think it's still standing - LOWS) then moved to St. Fillans Terrace in St Mary's

Bill Wilkie on 03-Nov-99 06:29:45
Hi Bill Wilkie from lochee now in toronto via Aus,winnipeg, and windsor ont.

Gerry on 04-Nov-99 00:51:25
Hello all. I came from St. Marys to Calif. in 1961. Our best friends here are from Dundee also. Bob and Evelyn Neave.

JJ39 on 04-Nov-99 06:22:26
I am in Perth Western Australia - from St. Marys....and know about 30 dundonians here.

sandy jack on 04-Nov-99 22:30:03
I've been in Christchuch N.Z.for the past 19years--previously Fintry,Linlathen,&Wolesley st.

HenBroon on 05-Nov-99 05:04:12
Allan Brown presently in Jakarta, Indonesia. Grew up at 79 Arbroath Rd. and went to the Glebie 59-66. Moved to Tweed Cr. Menzieshill and was at the Logie for a year then the Harris 67-72. Dundonians are a bit thin on the ground here, I may be the only one!

Margaret Balothiari on 05-Nov-99 10:21:43
Hello to all of you. I really love reading the 3 j's pages daily. I came to Crete, Greece in 1980 and married a local in 1986 and settled and had a family.

Riggs on 06-Nov-99 03:35:52
Hi, I'm from Dundee, immigrated to Massachusetts when I was 7. Some names I know who live in Mass. and are also from Dundee are: The Johnstone's, Whammond's and the Strakkon's. My maiden name is Jones.

Scottie on 07-Nov-99 16:48:21
Hi I'm from the Arbroath Road #172 (a small cottage near Hartley Briarlies Dairy) my wife Moira (Cree) is from Linlathen and we live in wintery Winnipeg (since 1967).

Gibby on 07-Nov-99 18:05:23
Hi there Gibby Hendry, I came from Mid-Criagie To Toronto ,Ottawa, Peterborough.Ont. I have been here in canada for 44 years now.

Linda Jennings on 07-Nov-99 22:07:31
Hi Scottie, just came across your posting, and saw you lived at 172 Arbroath Rd, I lived at 178 Arbroath Rd,what a small world

Dundee46 on 08-Nov-99 02:05:43
Hi,I was born in Lochee and married a lad fae West Kirkton. Lived in Toronto for 17years and knew lots of Dundonians. We've been living in Chicagoor the past 14 years and haven't met one.

OOR WULLIE on 10-Nov-99 08:01:39
been too lazy tae reply tae this thread, apologies, highland

JimC on 11-Nov-99 12:47:24
I was born in Dundee and went to Morgan Academy, leaving in 53. Pretty well straight in to the RAF. Now live in Armadale, West Australia (near Rockingham and Willetton) where we migrated in 72.

peter s on 12-Nov-99 16:03:52
I live in Hamilton, Ontario and there are quite a few Dundonians living here

Jock on 13-Nov-99 08:31:55
Hi. I'm in Vancouver, BC, Canada and I think the other half of Dundee must be here as well.

jimcleary on 13-Nov-99 13:09:12
Welcome aboard Jock L. You are sure to have an enjoyable time conversing with fellow Ex-Dundonians

Doon the Toon on 14-Nov-99 07:05:48
====================================

A thread which must have included at least one contribution from everyone who was active at the time was "The Continuing Story", which got to 5 parts, ie over 1000 posts. It ran from 13th July 2000 until 23rd March 2003.
"The Continuing Story" is still available for download from:-

http://freespace.virgin.net/b.massie/ContinuingStory-1-2-3.pdf

http://freespace.virgin.net/b.massie/ContinuingStory-4.pdf

http://freespace.virgin.net/b.massie/ContinuingStory-5.pdf

Probably a lot of names in there as well, that no longer appear for one reason or another.

====================================

Hi MacPie.
To answer your question, "I mean, as it stands right now, just what is the point of the 3Js?", I can only offer my own opinion. It seems to have settled down to being a convenient way for (mainly) ex-pats to keep in touch with a bit of banter. There ARE other forums that cover Dundee, eg Dundee Forum and Secret Dundee BUT, beleive it or not, The 3Js is busier than the Dundee Forum (don't know what's happened there) and Secret Dundee is, I suppose, a bit like the 3Js but for people who still live in the area and feel the need to blether all day/evening.
You get the odd interesting topic but, because of the way Facebook pages evolve, they don't last long (disappearing off the bottom of 'the wall' in less than a day), as new stuff is posted umpteen times an hour from around UK dawn to UK bedtime. Unless the Discussions page is used, stuff just gets ignored if it's more than a day old.

Each to his or her own, as someone once said.

If we are to avoid the censor we must agree to debate nicely no name calling , Respect other views with out resorting insults.

and to the various protagonist on either side of the pond play nice there is a cultural difference in what is seen as humour or a wind up.

Ken

There has been many peaks and troughs during the life span of 3J, some peeps have gave up through a minority becoming abusive and the some thinking they have the power of the pen. Seams like many that are left are indeed emigrants wanting to keep some hold of the old country but nothing wrong with that. I have had a keek at the Dundee forum and secret Dundee and not enthused what I have found there.

Look, so what's the point of 3J. I guess like when it started from what I believe was "Dundee and Proud" is communication and a bit of banter. Hey its up to you, if you don't want to either be a lurker or participant you have the power. Just don't don't bother..I particularly don't care either way

Linda

But if it wisnih for some o' us auld timers in here thir wid be nae 3Js.

Eh git teed aff sometimes as weel wae the USA bashin thit goes on beh people wha think the ken athin and really ken nothin, but that is the fun in here coz if yi dinnih like whut is bein sayed, yi kin skip ower it. LOL

Ehm a member in a few sites and this is ain o' the busiest (Not THE busiest). ;o)

It is normal tih slow doon and pick up again, but nothing says how fest yi hae tih go.

Keep stirrin noo.

Wee John. ;o)

MacD for short. and you are right he had a wide view point which he could express well.

Also Mad Harry he flashed in and out as the subjects changed and some people were anti because of the Religious angles but now and again I for one got some useful info about Dundee.

Long time no type!

Here's a couple of wee somethings for you...

The first is called "Edinburgh Military Tattoo" and features the voice of the late Tom Fleming. t comes from 1998. Why do I always get a shiver up my back when a pipe band plays "Bonnie Dundee"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgwRitTgU4

The second features only one piper but if you're blessed with the Scottish Gland, it's a tremendously uplifting piece of music that always gives me the shiver up the back.
It is a clip taken from a Grampian TV production of quite a few years ago. It featured Wolfstone in concert at, I think, Aberdeen Music Hall.
"Wolfstone : Captured Live 2"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dsD75Gmxmc

8=)

I

8=)

I remember Eljay (originally "Linda Jennings") who is still here and "Linda" (Turbyne) who came from West Kirkton and worked for one of the Mennonite groups in Canada. I remember she had to choose between buying a new car or a new pc. I assume she plumped for the car. I can't think of a third Linda at the moment.

Onnyhoo, I did another search in my 3Js archive and found the thread where Carol invited peeps to add their email addresses. You may recall that this was after the 3Js had gone down for a week or ttwo in Nov '99. I've converted this to PDF and it can be downloaded for research at:-

http://freespace.virgin.net/b.massie/2010/EmailAddresses2000.pdf

It dates from Dec 1999 to March 2000. I've changed all the @ in the addresses to &. I think most of them will be defunct onnyhoo, but seeing the names may ring bells. Like,
Morag Harris
Phyllis
osiscot
frank
"Conshie"
harvey
patsy
weewifie

and so on...

8=)

Than you so much for that - smashing. Didn't plan on the tears though.

Is no-one in touch with Morag in Carnoustie?
I last spoke to her when she lived in Dallas and that was years ago.
Haggis, Frank, Kipper, and all the others Doon mentioned, please pop in to say hello, and to let us know you are ok.

Sir Mid, one year you were staying with your nephew? just off Arbroath Rd, and came knocking at my sister's house, but you got the wrong casa ..........see you make a habit of knocking peeps up early.......lol.

I came across a tape that Wee Johnny sent me - remember he was from Glagow settled in Newfie. Dave you will remember - he was a character, and another member too soon to go.

Off to make bacon and eggs and the last of the Potato Scones, my sister brought me.

Thanks again Doon.

Linda

Wee John. ;o)

Wee Yin's stories are still on my old web site at:-

http://www.doonthetoon.ukf.net/weeyin/weeyin01.htm

8=)

http://freespace.virgin.net/b.massie/ChrisMcLean-Kitchen.pdf

8=)

Oh well, the 'good old days'

Linda

But it's true we do need some younger members wie new ideas tae. One of my daughters tried to join a couple of times a few years back but got no reply so gave up. Maybe that's happened to more than her!

Me, I'm hoping that when the wee lass starts school next week, I'll get more time to look in, even if only now and again.

I lost heart when everytime someone was here on holiday and we tried to organise a wee meet, no-one from Dundee could be bothered to make the effort. Once or twice, I was the only person there. Very embarassing!

I'd hate to lose touch altogether cos there are some lovely people on this site but I'm sure 3Js will continue as it's the best on offer as far as I'm concerned.

Carol aka Cuddlie (named by Midser)

Coming out of Boots yesterday afternoon, I was ambushed by Gerry of Gervina, who had been sitting watching the world go by and had seen me wander in.
A quick pint in the Counting House ensued and we hope to have a wee get together on the 27th.

So if you're in Dundee that evening...

8=)

8=)

Linda