Note 4. Fair Value Measures (Detail) - Fair Value Hierarchy (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2011		Aug. 31, 2011
Corporate money market funds (1)	$ 170,621	[1]	$ 161,168	[1]
Investments (short-term)	13,792	[2]	0
Total assets measured at fair value	184,413		162,065
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (derivative liabilities)	2,442		0
Derivative instruments (3)	2,442	[3]	0	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	2,442		0
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
Derivative instruments (3)			897	[3]
Cash and cash equivalents	170,621		161,168
Other current assets (derivative assets)			897
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Corporate money market funds (1)	170,621	[1]	161,168	[1]
Investments (short-term)	0	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	170,621		161,168
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (derivative liabilities)	0		0
Derivative instruments (3)	0	[3]	0	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	0		0
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
Derivative instruments (3)			0	[3]
Cash and cash equivalents	170,621		161,168
Other current assets (derivative assets)			0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Corporate money market funds (1)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Investments (short-term)	13,792	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	13,792		897
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (derivative liabilities)	2,442		0
Derivative instruments (3)	2,442	[3]	0	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	2,442		0
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
Derivative instruments (3)			897	[3]
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Other current assets (derivative assets)			897
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Corporate money market funds (1)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Investments (short-term)	0	[2]
Total assets measured at fair value	0		0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (derivative liabilities)	0		0
Derivative instruments (3)	0	[3]	0	[3]
Total liabilities measured at fair value	0		0
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
Derivative instruments (3)			0	[3]
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Other current assets (derivative assets)			$ 0

[1] The Company's corporate money market funds are traded in an active market and the net asset value of each fund on the last day of the quarter is used to determine its fair value. As such, the Company's corporate money market funds are classified as Level 1 and included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet.

[2] The Company's certificates of deposit held for investment are not debt securities and are classified as Level 2. These certificates of deposit have original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year and, as such, are classified as investments (short-term) on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

[3] The Company utilizes the income approach to measure fair value for its derivative instruments (foreign exchange forward contracts). The income approach uses pricing models that rely on market observable inputs such as spot, forward and interest rates, as well as credit default swap spreads and therefore are classified as Level 2.