'Wrong to Link ATM Heist to India'

First, the hackers, quite possibly insiders, broke into computer records at a few credit card processing companies, first in India and then the U.S. This has happened before but here's what was new: They didn't just take information. They actually raised the limit on prepaid debit cards kept in reserves at two large banks.
The next step was technically simpler, almost an arts-and-crafts activity.
Crime ring members in 27 countries ran used plastic cards, just about anything with a standard magnetic strip, through handheld magnetic stripe encoders, widely available online for less than $300. Those devices allow users to change information on magnetic stripes or to write new cards with a simple swipe.
In this case, the stripes were rewritten with information from the hackers. That allowed the thieves to turn the cards into gold, instantly transforming them into prepaid debit cards with unlimited amounts of money stored on them.

Telegraph India: India first victim in ATM heist chain

Aging US Doctors Losing Competence

An interesting article about how aging US doctors are losing their mental and physical competence, and are becoming increasingly unfit for duty. This is another reason why medical outsourcing to places like India is the future.

Bringing Outsourcing to Indian Villages

Further to that article on bringing growth to India's villages, efforts are underway to open up outsourcing venues in rural locations, far from the big cities.

Thanks for Slumming

Heh, if anyone needs a pick-me-up, they can always read the bloggings of someone in a worse mood.

Indian Outsourcing Moves Towards High End

Here's a new Businessweek article talking about how Indian outsourcing is now migrating towards the higher end of the market.

Party Over for Indian Outsourcing?

What the hell is "conceptual brahmanism"?

From the Businessweek article:

But while India lacks a formal innovation culture, one would never know from the assumed superiority over foreign rivals. Indian firms are simply unable, culturally, to absorb a Western company. Industry analysts say Indian companies such as Infosys are hierarchical, and have an elitist view of their business and suffer from "conceptual Brahmanism," referring to the group at the upper echelon of the Indian caste system.

Somebody teach this phrase to Lou Dobbs, I'm sure he'll have a field day with it.

Insourcing: Tata Hires Overseas

This is one story that CNN's Lou Dobbs won't be covering. Indian companies like Tata are hiring overseas, in places like Reno, Ohio, generating jobs there. It shows that growth is a 2-way street, and a win-win proposition.