Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	$ 65,731	[1]	$ 76,530	[1]	$ 81,620	[1]
United States [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	51,184	[1]	60,288	[1]	60,092	[1]
United Kingdom [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	4,806	[1]	5,466	[1]	6,863	[1]
Philippines [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	3,228	[1]	3,420	[1]	4,181	[1]
India [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	1,753	[1]	2,921	[1]	4,453	[1]
France [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	1,701	[1]	2,079	[1]	2,859	[1]
All other European Countries [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	1,350	[1]	872	[1]	1,216	[1]
All other Asia Pacific Countries [Member]
Note 6 - Segment Information (Details) - Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Areas [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	$ 1,349	[1]	$ 1,484	[1]	$ 1,956	[1]

[1] Long-lived assets consist of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and exclude goodwill, intangible assets, deferred taxes and other assets.