Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2017	27,056				(13,414)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2017	$ 1,353	$ 212,484	$ 69,456	$ 667	$ (198,895)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					256
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(3,600)			$ 3,758
Purchase of treasury shares, shares					(103)
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (1,968)
Stock-based compensation		956
Cumulative translation adjustments				(77)		$ (77)
Net loss			(2,392)			(2,392)
Ending balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2017	27,056				(13,261)
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2017	$ 1,353	209,840	67,064	590	$ (197,105)
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2018	27,056				(13,159)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 1,353	211,280	63,569	341	$ (196,043)	80,500
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					11
Issuance of common stock from treasury		64			$ 166
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (7)
Stock-based compensation		946
Cumulative translation adjustments				(309)		(309)
Net loss			(1,357)			(1,357)
Ending balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2018	27,056				(13,148)
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2018	$ 1,353	$ 212,290	59,069	$ 32	$ (195,884)	$ 76,860
Cumulative effect of accounting change			$ (3,143)