Income Taxes Activities and balances of unrecognized tax benefits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,247	$ 1,069
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	54	126
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	89
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(61)	(13)
Reductions as result of lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(57)	(24)
Balance at end of year	1,183	1,247
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	777	820
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	21	148
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$ 1,029	$ 1,008