Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,429	$ (3,683)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	(1,261)	9,367
Loss on sale of discontinued operations	933
Depreciation and amortization	1,480	1,604
Gain on sale of investments	(170)	(209)
Amortization of premium on held-to-maturity securities	31	52
Impairment loss on investment	804
Stock-based compensation	1,533	1,913
Deferred taxes	(294)	(1,562)
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans		41
Other	11	12
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(244)	253
Inventories	(484)	(110)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(3,159)	108
Income taxes	2,739	5,984
Deferred revenue	(17)	454
Prepaids and other	(157)	(85)
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	6,174	14,139
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(269)	(1,246)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(34,728)	(24,950)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	34,554	24,580
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities	3,000	1,000
Payments related to a prior business acquisition		(5,650)
Cash received from (transferred to) discontinued operations	27,961	(4,107)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	30,518	(10,373)
Financing Activities:
Reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation plans		(41)
Issuance of common stock	217	383
Purchase of common stock to pay employee taxes	(170)	(7)
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations	47	335
Net cash provided by continuing operations	36,739	4,101
Discontinued Operations:
Net cash used in operating activities	(1,627)	(2,947)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	29,816	(1,158)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(27,961)	4,107
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	228	2
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	36,967	4,103
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of period	23,217	11,391
End of period	60,184	15,494
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid (received) for income taxes	28	(2,330)
Noncash transaction - acquisition of property and equipment on account	$ 102	$ 281