1. A method of using an error correcting code, comprising: storing raw information and redundant information indicating the error correcting code into a plurality of information nodes; determining a parameter indicating usability of said information nodes; reading said raw information from said plurality of nodes if said parameter indicates that said plurality of nodes are usable, and reading both said raw data and said redundant data from less than said plurality of nodes if said parameter indicates that at least a portion of said plurality of nodes are less than usable.