A usefully comprehensive analysis of how @font-face affects web site loading time (both actual and perceived). The results are somewhat depressing.
Worst-case scenario: If a font file fails to download properly in Internet Explorer, the whole page is unviewable.
It sounds like rather than simply whacking external font requests into the stylesheet, a savvy web developer can improve circumstances by scripting the site to only load external fonts when page content requires it, and sending files compressed whenever possible. Microsoft-specific conditional clauses can help control its display problems. Some of Steve’s recommendations are of limited value to small-scale web developers.
