Apple Computers originally developed a Truetype font in 1980. Later in 1991 Microsoft introduced the same to Windows operating system. These fonts enhance your web browsing experience and some software such as Macromedia Flash player only works best with Truetype / FreeType fonts under Linux desktop.

Linux use fonts from the FreeType project of David Turner. It is an attempt to create an independent implementation of the TrueType standard.

How do I install Microsoft TrueType core fonts and FreeType fonts under Debian Linux?

If you are using Debian Linux, type the command:
# apt-get install msttcorefonts cabextract x-ttcidfont-conf

Reconfigure TrueType and CID fonts for X windows:
# dpkg-reconfigure x-ttcidfont-conf

Select FreeType from the drop down list.

Open /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file and append following FontPath:
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"

Save and close the file

Open XFS /etc/X11/fs/config file
# vi /etc/X11/fs/config

Append above font paths catalogue option, which specifies paths to search for fonts. At the end, your entry should look like as follows:
catalogue = /var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType/,/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/misc/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/cyrillic/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/CID,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/,/usr/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/


Close and save the file. Restart the system:
# reboot

Update:
OR just restart both xfs and X server:
# /etc/init.d/xfs restart
# /etc/init.d/xdm restart