If you're still learning about Linux/Unix, then NTP (Network Time Protocol) is probably a little low on your priority list. However, experienced system administrators come to regard good time synchronisation as essential. Sun Blueprints Online is Sun's collection of best practices for system administrators, and their "Using NTP to Control and Synchronize System Clocks" series is the definitive introduction to NTP. It consists of three parts:
The last of these is particularly helpful in understanding common mistakes when setting up NTP in your environment.
Read these documents! Your brain will thank you for it!
