John Steinberg wrote:
Here's the story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4907308.stm

Yes, I read this:

``Using only present-day terrestrial technology, a bright, tightly
focused light beam, such as a laser, can be 10,000 times as bright as
its parent star for a brief instant. Such a beam could be easily
observed from enormous distances.''

But Jimminy Cricket, what about the FAA equivalent on these alleged
alien worlds?

Just like our TV and radio shows, the old DEW line radars, and the
deliberate "here we are" tightcast to M13, we've shot off plenty of
bright lasers into the galaxy; look up "Laser Guide Star."