All my sites generally use Microsoft's free truetype font "Verdana" for display (with a fallback to Geneva and Arial, so Mac and Windows users get it displayed in a sans serif font at least).

The reason for this is the great readability of this font (exspecially for small bold type or single words in italic) and it's widespreaded use.

If the two lines below are displayed in different fonts, then Verdana is already installed on your machine:

  • QHamburgefons   This is written in Verdana...
  • QHamburgefons   ...and this in the replacement font (Geneva or Arial)

The "Verdana" truetype is free but copyrighted by Microsoft.

Before ranting please don't forget this is only a recommendation. If you don't like it, don't use it.

Mac & Win users can download these fonts at:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fontpack/default.htm