1. A method comprising: maintaining, via at least one computer, a universe of data, the universe of data being accessible as a plurality of logical entities that each belong to one of a plurality of logical-entity types, the plurality of logical-entity types being defined by a universal representation format; transmitting one or more of the plurality of logical entities to an interface application for rendering on a user interface according to the universal representation format, the interface application being configured according to the universal representation format; receiving, from the interface application, at least one manipulation for at least one logical entity in the one or more logical entities; and updating, via the at least one computer, the maintained universe of data and the at least one logical entity in the one or more logical entities responsive to the receiving step.