how to determine if a font is installed

Xtremely easy with Delphi (as usual)
You can just use this function, or put the code directly wherever you need it

FontInstalled(Const FontName:String):Boolean;
Begin
  Result:=Screen.Fonts.IndexOf(FontName)>=0
End;

then just call it

If Not (FontInstalled('Pilobolus')) Then
Begin
  ShowMessage('Pilobolus font is not installed!')
  //you can do stuff here to install it, or whatever you need...
End;

...There's an article here on Delphi3000 (do a search for "FONTS") to include your fonts as resources, so you can include your custom fonts, then install'em on the user end

keep up coding

EberSys