Evaluating Auction Mechanisms for the Preservation of Cost-Aware Digital Objects Under Constrained Digital Preservation Budgets

Abstract

This is a novel approach to managing costs in digital preservation, one that takes advantage of an object-centric approach developed by means of self-preserving digital objects whereby the objects manage their preservation not only by maximizing the chances of avoiding obsolescence but also doing it at a minimum cost. To accomplish this, we assign a budget that the objects manage to achieve the necessary preservation services at a given cost. Several strategies apply, such as maximal preservation service at all costs or burn low even if the preservation is not perfect. We explore optimizing the budget of self-preserving digital objects through micro-negotiations of objects and services, expecting accurate balance of costs and quality of preservation. Specifically, in negotiation, we will explore the price-based algorithms that are the electronic auctions, notably the combinatorial and multi-unit auctions. We compare the expected lifetime of digital objects with the two electronic auction algorithms with the aim of deciding in what conditions these algorithms apply and deliver good results. In all, this work, exploratory in nature, studies a bottom-up approach of cost management in digital preservation, contrary to the prevailing top-down approach of the state of the art, using e-auctions.