Katherine,
We "still stubbornly use SHX fonts". I'm sure that this is no surprise to Jeremiah. The reason that we do it t is two fold:
1. We can use the same font on different colored layers to print differently. This is importation to all of use whom share files with different disciplines. For instance, the Civil can place some text in the drawing that he/she feels is important to their story. They may use a heavy pen to get the story across. As the LA, we also need the text, but it's not as important so we can use a thin pen, or even screen it back. That's why it's still important to use SHX fonts. Of course if a font style was used, we could modify that, but we can't depend on everyone having a different font style for every element. That's just too complicated in a large firm.
2. SHX fonts print in a fraction of the time. To test this, create a 24"x36" sheet filled with notes (or specs.). Have the style defined with an Aerial font. Send the sheet to the printer. Time it (though it will be obviously slower), then change the style to a romans.shx font. Now print it again. It should take less than half the time.
So yes. We still use SHX's. Further, While our CALLOUT TITLE style points to Arial .TTF), our DETAIL TEXT style points to Romans.shx. So like you, changing to a different font would not be a non-0 amount of work.
Good luck with your efforts.
Seaweed.