Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts, Shares Included in Basic Earnings Per Share				6,100,000
Tangible Equity Units, Rate		7.25%		7.25%
Exchangeable Note Unit Rate Stated Percentage	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Non-Vested Stock and Outstanding Options [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0		200,000	1,300,000
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	15,200,000		15,200,000	15,200,000
Out of the Money Stock Options [Member]
Note 13 - Per Share Calculation (Details) [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	3,900,000	3,000,000	3,100,000	2,100,000