While watching Life After People on the History Channel.
(http://www.history.com/minisites/life_after_people)

In it, they talked about how SETI@HOME claims that our
radio waves transmitted from Earth will travel a good
2 light years away before fading away into
indistinguishable background noise.

*IF* this is true, why am I using my CPU time to try
to find another radio signal from another world
further than 2 light years? Especially since it seems
the closest similar solar system (Gliese 581) is 20
light years away.
(http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/25/news/planet.php )

Can anyone tell me if the dish was pointed at Gliese
581 or some place else?

-Gloves Q

In it, they talked about how SETI@HOME claims that our
radio waves transmitted from Earth will travel a good
2 light years away before fading away into
indistinguishable background noise.

They must have gotten something wrong. From what I know, unintentional "messages" like TV and Radar could be received in 100 ly-distance with our state of the art technology.

Especially since it seems
the closest similar solar system (Gliese 581) is 20
light years away.

The closest star-system would be Centauri. But yeah - no planets there AFAIK.

Can anyone tell me if the dish was pointed at Gliese
581 or some place else?

Don't exaggerate things about Gliese 581c. Of course it's nice, that a small planet with moderate temperatures has been found. But I think people are sure, that there won't be any life on it, as the radiation from the just 11 Million km away star is probably too strong.

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Best regards
Jens