On sending an SMS via iCal alert, can't an Applescript be written that would send a text message in iChat without additional software?

If you add your own cell number (the format +11234567) as an AIM contact, then SMS messages can be sent from iChat. Seems like a relatively simple script that would send an alert to that contact is all you need.

Huh. I just assumed you could substitute the country code for the +1 and it would work. I guess it makes sense that it wouldn't.

"It can send e-mail alerts only when your computer is awake and connected to the Internet"

What qualifies as being awake? I set myself up with an email reminder, it never came. When I went back to the Mac to check, I see it is in the Outbox in Mail. Never sent. I keep my computer on 24/7 (not logged in though). My settings in Energy Saver prefs are:
Put computer to sleep..., I have it set to never.
Display sleeps after 15 minutes.
Put hard disk to sleep when possible is checked.
Do I need to change something? It seems that the email gets generated, just not sent. This has happened both times I tried doing this tip.

Hmmm. Oh well. The idea is nice, but I don't like to be logged in constantly. Another thing with iCal is that if you have reminders for a particular day, and you never log in that day, those reminders never pop up the next time you log in. Whereas in Outlook on Windows (ugh) will list all your reminders since the last time you were signed on. If there is a way to do this in iCal I haven't seen it, or maybe I'm not setting my reminders properly.