Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012 sqft	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2012
Area of Real Estate Property (in Square feet)	805,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 9.3	$ 8.4
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	4.3
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount			52.2
Largest Individual Client Percent Of Total Subscriptions	2.00%
Percentage Of Subscription From Ten Largest Clients	16.00%
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	1.7		1.8
Norwalk, Connecticut [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property (in Square feet)	193,000
Avon France [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	0.8
Non Cancelable Lease Term Period	9 years
Milan Italy [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	0.4
Non Cancelable Lease Term Period	2 years 109 days
Austin Texas [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property (in Square feet)	3,467
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 0.3
Non Cancelable Lease Term Period	1 year 6 months