In an aspect, in general, a forward error correction algorithm utilizes an FEC block structure in a manner that extends the effective error correction such that it can approach an \u201cinfinite\u201d length to obtain benefits typical of very large FEC block size without the commensurate computation cost. A polling system is provided with remotely located workstations or local workstations so that the remote or local workstations may request queued data to be delivered that is awaiting delivery in the central database management system. It forms a contactless watch-mouse.