Cross platform fonts question

[Mark Swindell]

I'm wrapping up a project (finally) and have done my best to use 
graphics for all displays but there are a couple of fields and buttons 
that need X-platform fonts.   I know very little about Windows so 
forgive my ignorance.

First, is there a tutorial site I can be pointed to that deals with 
X-platform font implementation in any sort of comprehensive way?

Is Comic Sans MS a common windows font?  It seems ubiquitous in print, 
but I know next to nothing about Windows.  Can I assume that Verdana 10 
will display as a Verdana 10  in pop-up buttons on the Windows side of 
things?  How about Helvetica?  Are 10 pt and 12pt sizes a safe bet, or 
do they display larger on Windows machines?

TIA,
Mark