Ticklers versus iCal To Do dates

Ticklers don't link to iCal -- and this is a key difference to To Do dates. The idea of a tickler is a quick date you can attach to a message and later search for using smart mailboxes. Many people want to affix a date to their mail without needing to add an todo or alarm (which will add yet another item to their todo list.)

Here is a common use for a Tickler.

In composing messages, you expect a reply within a certain time period so when you are composing, you add the keyword "WaitingForReply" and set a tickle date.

Then you create a smart mailbox for all messages with Keyword "WaitingForReply" and due date within 1 day. (and turn on include messages from sent)

This mailbox will show all the messages you sent in the past and want reply by today. You can then followup those forgotten items.

You just need to check this mailbox once a day to handle this backlog.

If you have Mail Act-On installed you can set it up so that the Act-On rule to archive a message can automatically remove a "WaitingForReply" keyword and tickle date on the previous message.