What is so special about alkaline batteries?

[Kross]

Alkaline batteries are generally preferred to other kinds of batteries for clocks, remote control and the likes. They say that it is long lasting. How true is that?

And what are the other features that make alkaline batteries preferred and worth it? Have you ever used one?

 

[SilverLance]

Alkaline batteries have a low self-discharge rate. They can keep their charge for a long time even when not being used.

 

[King Belieal]

I use alkaline batteries for microphones and they can last for at least three days of usage. Regular batteries completely discharge after an hour of usage on the microphone.