Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 4,041,000	$ (25,216,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	524,000	589,000
Goodwill impairment	0	13,400,000
Gains on sales of marketable securities, net	(4,193,000)	0
Deferred income taxes	590,000	(6,392,000)
Unrealized losses on investments	3,099,000	17,715,000
(Increase) decrease in current assets
Accounts receivable, net	309,000	(2,233,000)
Inventories	4,000	6,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(105,000)	4,000
Income tax receivable	(448,000)	117,000
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Accounts payable	(594,000)	1,700,000
Accrued liabilities	917,000	831,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,336,000	1,615,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Sales of marketable securities	16,307,000	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net	(184,000)	(165,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	16,123,000	(165,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from margin loan borrowing	1,000,000	0
Payment to margin loan borrowing	(1,000,000)	0
Payment of loan principal	(126,000)	(121,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(126,000)	(121,000)
Increase in cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents	18,333,000	1,329,000
Cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year	10,630,000	9,301,000
End of year	28,963,000	10,630,000
Interest paid during year	529,000	963,000
Income taxes refunded during year	(47,000)	(121,000)
Subscription and Circulation [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(296,000)	21,000
Installation Contracts [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(1,792,000)	1,695,000
License and Maintenance [Member]
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	$ 280,000	$ (622,000)