Note 4 - Cash Equivalents, Short-term and Long-term Investments (Detail) - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amortized Cost	$ 186,039	$ 224,725
Gross Unrealized Gains	90	88
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(44)
Estimated Fair Value	186,128	224,769
Money Market Funds [Member]
Amortized Cost	131,984	163,368
Estimated Fair Value	131,984	163,368
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	37,560	44,863
Gross Unrealized Gains	70	57
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(43)
Estimated Fair Value	37,629	44,877
Commercial Paper [Member]
Amortized Cost	8,997	8,997
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1)
Estimated Fair Value	8,997	8,996
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	2,002	2,003
Gross Unrealized Gains	9	12
Estimated Fair Value	2,011	2,015
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	5,496	5,494
Gross Unrealized Gains	11	19
Estimated Fair Value	$ 5,507	$ 5,513

This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

+ References+ Details

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

This item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References+ Details