The clock in computers and many other electronic systems is normally
provided by a simple crystal oscillator. Unfortunately, the
electromechanical properties of such a clock are normally such
that it may vary as much as 100 minutes per year from real time.
This is, of course, a highly unsatisfactory, and, to many people,
inexplicable situation. After all, if a cheap watch can keep (reasonable)
time, why can an expensive computer not?
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