Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes providing an offer to a connector. The method also includes receiving responses from users to the offer, the users having received the offer from the connector. The method further includes completing the transaction with the users. In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a set of profiles of users. The apparatus further includes a database of connectors, connectors of the database selected from the users based on the profiles associated with the users. The apparatus also includes an interface between vendors and the database. The interface is to receive queries from the vendors and to return connector identities responsive to the queries. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a machine-readable medium embodying instructions. The instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method. The method includes providing an offer to a connector.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of techniques and mechanisms for controlling and monetizing networking transactions among users of a computer network. At least some of these techniques and mechanisms come about as a result of several new paradigms contemplated by the present invention. One paradigm of the present invention involves monetizing user transactions as a function of relational patterns and connections between different users. These relational connections may have a type attribute such as family, business, competitor, etc. Another paradigm of the present invention introduces a “virtual network” as a set of user having some predefined relational pattern. Once virtual networks are defined for a plurality of users, decisions regarding transactions can then be made based on the characteristics of the virtual network.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of techniques and mechanisms for controlling and monetizing networking transactions among users of a computer network. At least some of these techniques and mechanisms come about as a result of several new paradigms contemplated by the present invention. One paradigm of the present invention involves monetizing user transactions as a function of relational patterns and connections between different users. Another paradigm of the present invention introduces a “virtual network” as a set of user having some predefined relational pattern. Once virtual networks are defined for a plurality of users, decisions regarding transactions can then be made based on the characteristics of the virtual network.

Abstract: A personal, customized, diversified securities fund may be created and managed through a World Wide Web site (“web site”). The web site in its preferred embodiment allows a customer to indicate individual companies, governments, or other entities in whose securities the customer would like to invest, and a dollar amount to be invested in each entity. The web site preferably also allows a customer to sell fixed dollar amounts of a specific security, to transfer securities held under one account into another, or to transfer securities to or from another brokerage. The system may periodically consolidate purchase requests into discrete sets of aggregate stock buy, sell, or transfer orders. A licensed broker/dealer may then use the consolidated orders to buy, sell, or transfer appropriate numbers of securities. When a broker/dealer has bought, sold, or traded shares, a purchase or sale price of each security involved may be transmitted to the system.