Fair Value Measures (Non-Marketable Equity Securities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-marketable equity securities	$ 92	$ 452
Write-down of long-term investments	(999)	(468)	(7,158)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Non-marketable equity securities	$ 92	$ 452