In the context of computer-based auctions, innovations in proxy bids and
auction formats are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative
embodiment, a bidder can program a data processing system to enter one or
more bids by proxy. The capabilities offered by the data processing
system include: determining one or more bid variables based, at least in
part, on the identity of one or more bidders in an auction, or
determining one or more bid variables based, at least in part, on the
absence of one or more bidders from an auction, or determining one or
more bid variables based, at least in part, on the bid variables in one
or more other bids, or determining one or more bid variables based, at
least in part, on the results of another auction, or determining one or
more bid variables based, at least in part, on default values, or waiting
a specific or random amount of time before entering a bid in behalf of a
bidder, or any combination of these.