What kind of phone do you have? There might be an alarm app on the iOS or Android that overrides silent mode. My phone's alarm ignores silent mode.

I have a Milestone A854 with Android 2.1.1. I know there's an app called Tasker that can do it, but since I don't have a credit card, I'm unable to buy anything from the marketplace, so it'd have to be a free app. truth be told, I don't really understand /why/ the alarm clock has to be under the same volume control as the rest of phone.

On my Samsung Galaxy S II I just go into the normal clock and I can add alarms, what kind of sound it will make, the volume, and whatnot. But it is a Samsung phone, not a Motorola. Ironically silent mode on my phone isn't entirely silent. There are multiple volume levels, one for ringer, one for media, alarms, and system. That and I am using Android 2.3.3 so I don't know if you can see the same apps I can. I found a few on the market when I searched for alarm clock and alarms.

I was just playing with the settings after reading your comment, and I did find the option to have it ring while the phone is on silent- it was already selected, so I tested it out and uh. it didn't work? D=

definitely going to re-check the apps, though. hopefully I'll find those free ones.

the alarm clock doesn't override silent, or atleast give an option? that seems a little retarded. apparently sleep isn't something phone makers really took into consideration.

nope. I ended up discovering this the hard way. xD

but it's ridiculous- you'd think that somewhere along the line, someone would've said; "Hey, wouldn't it be a great idea to put the phone alarm on a different volume control than the rest of the phone?"

That sucks :/ My Casio G'zOne has an option for Alarm only.

My phone mutes the alarm when I put in on silent too, but keeps the vibrate function so I juts put it in my pants when I sleep at night instead :B

No, I will never stop texting you... EVER!
Now I come to think of it, that might be because I've never gotten around to starting to, either. *rubs chin*