Where does my computer get the time from? (dotat.at)

Article summary

The article discusses how computers get their time, tracing the source back to atomic clocks and the international system of units. The author explains that the time is synchronized through the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and that the reference clocks are often GPS receivers. The article also delves into the history of timekeeping, including the development of atomic clocks and the definition of the second. The US Naval Observatory and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures play key roles in maintaining the global standard for time.

Main themes

• timekeeping
• atomic clocks
• NTP
• time synchronization
• presentation format
• information conveyance
• history of science

What commenters say

• The format of the article is confusing and not suitable for conveying information.
• The talk would have been more enjoyable in person, and the online format is lazy.
• The author should have rewritten the talk into a text format for better readability.
• The use of slides and images is not effective in conveying complex information.
• The article provides interesting information about the history and infrastructure of timekeeping.
• The presentation format is not important, and the content is what matters.
• The author's effort to provide free content should be appreciated, regardless of the format.
• The discussion highlights the complexity and decentralization of timekeeping systems.