The basic unit of information in an Index is an Article. Each Article has the same general format - see the example in section 3 of How to Conduct a Search . The Citation Indexes are updated weekly and ISTP is updated monthly. Latest update details are available online. Any other service breaks will be advertised in advance.
Individual databases are unavailable while they are being updated.
This usually takes place overnight. You can access BIDS with a terminal or a computer running a terminal emulator. Your terminal or emulator must be able to use VT100 control codes. Help and Advice Access is through a simple menu interface. Each menu has one or more HELP screens.