Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2017	27,056				(13,414)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2017	$ 1,353	$ 212,484	$ 69,456	$ 667	$ (198,895)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					256
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(3,600)			$ 3,758
Purchase of treasury shares, shares					(103)
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (1,968)
Stock-based compensation		956
Cumulative translation adjustments				(77)
Net loss			(2,392)
Ending balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2017	27,056				(13,261)
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2017	$ 1,353	209,840	67,064	590	$ (197,105)
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2017	27,056				(13,414)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2017	$ 1,353	212,484	69,456	667	$ (198,895)
Cumulative translation adjustments						$ 352
Net loss						(5,132)
Ending balance, shares at Feb. 28, 2018	27,056				(13,179)
Ending balance at Feb. 28, 2018	$ 1,353	210,007	64,324	1,019	$ (196,339)
Beginning balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2017	27,056				(13,261)
Beginning balance at Nov. 30, 2017	$ 1,353	209,840	67,064	590	$ (197,105)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					61
Issuance of common stock from treasury		(264)			$ 456
Purchase of treasury shares, shares					(2)
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (38)
Stock-based compensation		779
Restricted stock award, shares					23
Restricted stock award		(348)			$ 348
Cumulative translation adjustments				429		429
Net loss			(2,740)			(2,740)
Ending balance, shares at Feb. 28, 2018	27,056				(13,179)
Ending balance at Feb. 28, 2018	$ 1,353	210,007	64,324	1,019	$ (196,339)
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2018	27,056				(13,159)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 1,353	211,280	63,569	341	$ (196,043)	80,500
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					11
Issuance of common stock from treasury		64			$ 166
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (7)
Stock-based compensation		946
Cumulative translation adjustments				(309)
Net loss			(1,357)
Ending balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2018	27,056				(13,148)
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2018	$ 1,353	212,290	59,069	32	$ (195,884)
Beginning balance, shares at Aug. 31, 2018	27,056				(13,159)
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 1,353	211,280	63,569	341	$ (196,043)	80,500
Cumulative translation adjustments						129
Net loss						(4,874)
Ending balance, shares at Feb. 28, 2019	27,056				(13,109)
Ending balance at Feb. 28, 2019	$ 1,353	212,960	55,552	470	$ (195,301)	75,034
Cumulative effect of accounting change			(3,143)
Beginning balance, shares at Nov. 30, 2018	27,056				(13,148)
Beginning balance at Nov. 30, 2018	$ 1,353	212,290	59,069	32	$ (195,884)
Issuance of common stock from treasury, shares					11
Issuance of common stock from treasury		53			$ 162
Purchase of treasury shares					$ (5)
Stock-based compensation		1,043
Restricted stock award, shares					28
Restricted stock award		(426)			$ 426
Cumulative translation adjustments				438		438
Net loss			(3,517)			(3,517)
Ending balance, shares at Feb. 28, 2019	27,056				(13,109)
Ending balance at Feb. 28, 2019	$ 1,353	$ 212,960	$ 55,552	$ 470	$ (195,301)	$ 75,034