Gordon,
By default, Pro-e will link to ptc.com in the integrated web browser, and it typically is the cause of this fluctuation and directly related to the slow processing of the ptc.com website you encountered. Sometimes are faster than others. To avoid this, set the config option:
i.e. web_browser_homepage c:\users\dmrobers
to your start in directly or your company home page if you prefer to eliminate this bottleneck. FYI, you may want to save that ptc site to favorites first though because it does have a lot of handy information and tutorials AND is hard to find once you have deleted the link.
Good luck,
David M. Robers
Vice-president of Sales
Diversified Design Dynamics
6039 Schumacher Park Drive
West Chester, OH 45069