Hah, thanks guys, just the kind of tips I was looking for, that approach does sound like a time saver.
Having said that, I can see now why "text on a curve" is on the wish list.

Dan

I use a little different technique.. I don't think it's any quicker, but, anyway...

Create a sphere, copy it, hide it, paste the copy.
Create curves for the text.

Project curves to the sphere's surface and trim surface with the text curves,
removing all but the trimmed out surfaces of the letters.

Extrude the text surfaces (from BOTH sides, cap ends) to the desired thickness.

Un-hide the original sphere and boolean add or subtract the extruded text accordingly.

It also works for shapes other than spheres.

Jesse