Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member] Common Class A [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Common Class B [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2015	131,532,118	14,985,081	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2015	$ 1,433	$ 157	$ 135,299	$ 703,751	$ (853,364)	$ (115,360)	$ (128,084)
Stock options, amortization and issuances				(1,502)			(1,502)
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	445,522	334,352
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	$ 4	$ 3		3,888			3,895
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	68,372	(68,372)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock	$ 1	$ (1)
Net income (loss)					(2,819)		(2,819)
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2016	132,046,012	15,251,061	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2016	$ 1,438	$ 159	$ 135,299	706,137	(856,183)	(115,360)	(128,510)
Stock options, amortization and issuances				556			556
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	188,548	59,046
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	$ 2	$ 1		(227)			(224)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	2,500	(2,500)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock
Net income (loss)					(332,193)		(332,193)
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in shares)	48,250
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2017	132,285,310	15,307,607	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2017	$ 1,440	$ 160	$ 135,299	706,466	(1,188,376)	(115,360)	(460,371)
Stock options, amortization and issuances				802			802
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures (in shares)	516,814	245,840
Restricted stock amortization, issuances and forfeitures	$ 6	$ 2		1,537			1,545
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (in shares)	3,348	(3,348)
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock
Net income (loss)					4,520		4,520
Stock options, amortization and issuances (in shares)	30,250
Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2018	132,835,722	15,550,099	5,600
Balance at Oct. 31, 2018	$ 1,446	$ 162	$ 135,299	$ 708,805	$ (1,183,856)	$ (115,360)	$ (453,504)