System(iexplorer) freezes sketchup until iexplore is closed

[fizgig]

I use ruby to make an html file that I want to then show the user. I do it this way:

system('C;/Program Files/Internet Explorer/iexplore.exe C;/output.html')

I'd like to be able to drag internet explorer to the side so the user can still work with sketchup and keep internet explorer open still viewing the output.html file but sketchup wont listen to any mouse clicks until I close internet explorer. Once I do, I can start messing with the model again but I've lost internet explorer.

Anyone know how to fix this?

[pecan]

In SuRDebug, I do something like:

cmd = "\"" + sketchupDir + "\\plugins\\SuRDebug\\SuRDebug.exe\" --suver=#{suVer}";
puts cmd;
systhr = Thread.new(){`#{cmd}`}

You can also try:

systhr = Thread.new(){system(cmd)}

but, for me, it left a command window open.

[fizgig]

Thanks for the tip! Will try it out.

[Dan Rathbun]

Just stumbled upon this old post... and saw that the correct answer was never given.
(Lest some newbie be misinformed, by finding this topic, I'll add the correct answer.)

Don't use system(), use UI.openURL()

UI.openURL("file;//C;/output.html")