Note 15 - Stock Plans (Detail) - Stock Option Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Options outstanding	5,094,367	6,316,860	5,774,767
Options outstanding (in Dollars per share)	$ 7.05	$ 8.72	$ 9.42
Options exercisable at end of period	2,467,170	1,764,338	2,519,600
Granted	1,334,828	674,100	1,132,750
Granted (in Dollars per share)	$ 2.59	$ 1.93	$ 4.73
Exercised	6,250		348,000
Exercised (in Dollars per share)	$ 2.55		$ 2.86
Forfeited	94,808	238,499	242,657
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$ 4.77	$ 7.33	$ 15.33
Cancellations		1,200,000
Cancellations (in Dollars per share)		$ 11.19
Expired	309,067	458,094
Expired (in Dollars per share)	$ 9.61	$ 11.57
Options outstanding	6,019,070	5,094,367	6,316,860
Options outstanding (in Dollars per share)	$ 5.97	$ 7.05	$ 8.72