Note 16 - Stock Plans (Details) - Stock Option Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Stock Option Activity [Abstract]
Options outstanding at beginning of period	6,591,054	6,019,070	5,094,367
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in Dollars per share)	$ 5.74	$ 5.97	$ 7.05
Granted	376,822	887,500	1,334,828
Granted (in Dollars per share)	$ 4.41	$ 6.28	$ 2.59
Exercised	42,375	44,812	6,250
Exercised (in Dollars per share)	$ 2.74	$ 2.67	$ 2.55
Forfeited	56,375	76,500	94,808
Forfeited (in Dollars per share)	$ 2.66	$ 3.06	$ 4.77
Expired	148,875	194,204	309,067
Expired (in Dollars per share)	$ 27.42	$ 16.92	$ 9.61
Options outstanding at end of period	6,720,251	6,591,054	6,019,070
Options outstanding at end of period (in Dollars per share)	$ 5.23	$ 5.74	$ 5.97
Options exercisable at end of period	4,100,413	3,161,952	2,467,170