Note 5. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012		Feb. 29, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Short-term Investments	$ 15,000,000		$ 15,000,000
Investment Income, Interest	340,000		480,000
Investment Owned, at Fair Value	15,185,000	[1]	15,185,000	[1]	0
Certificate Of Deposits [Member]
Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax			$ 300,000

[1] The Company's certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.