Sorry I can't be more technical here but I just don't have the technical details to hand.

There is a Windows API function called ShellExecute which I think is what you are looking for. Look in the Win32 modules, and you should find more details. This should avoid the problem that you mention about the console window.

As for the delay, maybe the console approach is slower, I don't know. I've done this through VB (with the API function) and it takes just as long as Netscape or IE would normally take to open up.

Hope this helps