1. A method for communicating with mobile or portable devices while increasing the likelihood of successfully communicating when communication path availability lacks continuity, varies from location to location, and/or is made available using different means at different times or places, the method comprising: enabling communication with a mobile or portable device over a first communication path; enabling communication with the mobile or portable device over a second communication path that is at least in part not co-extensive with said first communication path; communicating signals representing at least a first portion of a node structure over said first communication path; communicating signals representing at least a second portion of said node structure over said second communication path; and using said signals sent over said first path and said signals sent over said second path to reconcile redundant information conveyed over said first and second communication paths.