There are a number of alternative period table layouts[1] that highlight different aspects of the relationships between elements. I taught chemistry for a bit, and I coveted this swooping three-dimensional spiral model that gorgeously showed how the electrons were filling out the different orbitals...

Doob is the man, and I was disappointed when I hit the spiral button and it was a demo of putting the things in a spiral, not the half-remembered spiral-esque model in my mind.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_periodic_tables

Absolutely. This is a wasted opportunity.

In spiral mode the elements with the same valency should be in the same row.

In fact, every mode should take this into account.

H and Li should be in the same row. The same with Mg and Ca.

Uops! Fixed.

As per the arrangements, I agree. I was just trying to replicate the original demo.