Google's upcoming IPO (along with estimates of its $15 billion-plus value) is generating a deafening amount of buzz. And it looks like Google will be holding an IPO auction, opening up the process to the wider public.
As I understand it, the IPO process generally discourages average individual investors from participating; underwriters tend to focus on more substantial asset holders like institutions and the filthy rich. It's good to see a company as popular as Google at least consider broadening the process for what seems certain to be a safe investment. (Though if it's too safe for the risk-loving investor in you, there are always ways to spice things up.)