Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Unrealized gains and losses related to our investments designated as available-for-sale
Adjusted Cost	$ 3,686	$ 26,202
Gross Unrealized Gains	41	16
Gross Unrealized Losses		(5)
Fair Value	3,727	26,213
Corporate obligations [Member]
Unrealized gains and losses related to our investments designated as available-for-sale
Adjusted Cost		11,260
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1)
Fair Value		11,259
Certificates of deposit [Member]
Unrealized gains and losses related to our investments designated as available-for-sale
Adjusted Cost	2,804
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	2,804
U.S. Government notes [Member]
Unrealized gains and losses related to our investments designated as available-for-sale
Adjusted Cost		14,049
Gross Unrealized Gains		7
Gross Unrealized Losses		(4)
Fair Value		14,052
Auction rate municipal securities [Member]
Unrealized gains and losses related to our investments designated as available-for-sale
Adjusted Cost	882	893
Gross Unrealized Gains	41	9
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value	$ 923	$ 902

This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

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This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

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- Definition

This item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

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