Index: st2.py
==================================================================
--- st2.py
+++ st2.py
@@ -233,11 +233,12 @@
     def channel_switch(self, notebook, page, page_num=0, *args):
         self.current_channel = notebook.get_menu_label_text(notebook.get_nth_page(page_num))
         __print__(dbg.UI, "main.channel_switch() :=", self.current_channel)
         self.update_title()
         # if first selected, load current category
-        self.channel().first_show()
+        # (run in thread, to make it look speedy on first startup)
+        self.thread( self.channel().first_show )
 
     # Invoked from the menu instead, uses module name instead of numeric tab id
     def channel_switch_by_name(self, name):
         self.notebook_channels.set_current_page(self.channel_names.index(name))