You could look at data like this through columns of numbers, of course, but the use of color, sound and time makes for a vastly quicker and more comprehensive understanding.

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Old-style data came in neatly formatted rows and columns.

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While any row may have as many columns as needed, some up-front thought has to go into what columns are needed to organize the data.

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It is not just records and columns, but includes raw text, machine data, and more.

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And since columns are stored contiguously, and tend to have similar data, compression can be very efficient, and searches along a column are likewise efficient.

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To continue entering data beyond the last row I filled in my example, copy columns F through O from the previous row each time you add a new row.

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Each Rich-lister got the exact same page, with proprietary data, real-time content and their social connections all neatly organized in three columns.

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