Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - Fair Value Heirarchy At June 30, 2012 (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Available For Sale Securities	$ 146,129	$ 144,568
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	27,094	51,066
Money Market Funds [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	27,094	51,066
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	107,279	79,827
US Government Agencies Short-term Debt Securities [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	107,279	79,827
Auction Rate Preferred Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	11,756	13,675
Auction Rate Preferred Securities [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	11,756	13,675
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	27,094	51,066
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	107,279	79,827
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Available For Sale Securities	$ 11,756	$ 13,675

- Definition

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.

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