Android RelativeLayout -- how to position?

Only when it comes to a Relative layout, you can switch to the Graphical layout in your Eclipse editor and drag and set the attributes. Everything with just your mouse. This however isn't possible with any other layout. Hope that helps.

You don't need to use gravity or the inner LinearLayout at all for this. Instead use layout_alignParentTop, layout_alignParentLeft, layout_alignParentRight, layout_alignParentBottom, layout_centerInParent and layout_centerVertical on the children.

It might be useful for you to go through the RelativeLayout tutorial.