GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Mac OS
OS Version: OS X 10.6.7
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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I want to use an element which is a .png file as a layer and I am copying it from one GIMP window and pasting it as a layer onto another GIMP window with a gradient in it, as a layer. When it lands in the second window it appears as a clipboard layer, and because of the nature of the image, which is almost invisible, I want to move it about 100 px to the right, but I cannot move it without moving both layers...I think the problem is partly to do with the fact that it has barely anything for the cursor to grasp on to, in order to move it, but as well as that I dont understand why it says clipboard and not layer beside it in the layers....Any suggestions as to how I might be able to move this second layer would be welcome please.

if you use the move tool there is an option to have move the active layer.
*downloading XCF now*

Yep just tried it and it works like a charm

how did you do that because it keeps bouncing back to the bottom layer for me

I'll follow it up in the morning...its midnight here I gotta get some sleep...but.....it still will not allow me to move the top layer only...as soon as I try it goes back to the bottom layer and moves the whole image.

You have to select the top layer, then when you select the move tool, at the of your toolbar's menu there is an option have it move something or the active layer.
Select Active layer, then move off your image, so have your mouse over something just in the background area on GIMP, then click and move.
Hope this is clear enough. (I'm bad at explaining things)

Pictures are worth a thousand words sometimes.

Thats what I was trying to explain and Rod I have to agree pictures are worth a thousand words

As can be seen in Rod's kiloword, holding down the SHIFT key while using the Move Tool will also result in the active layer (not the topmost-nontransparent-pixel-under-the-cursor-containing layer) being moved.

Side note: instead of using copy/paste, use File/Open as layers

anytime I want to Move a layer and I wish to be precise I click the Move tool
make sure the correct layer is selected
click on the Image window
and use the cursor keys to move the layer.

Thanks everyone...I never knew that feature existed...I keep learning something new every time I come here and its great!!
Cecilia, thats what I was doing but it just wouldnt stay on that layer...
I also found that to bring up that option I had to double click on the move tool on the mac...

hmm, odd......must be a MAC thing. (ie a mouse/hardware/ who the heck knows what thing )

if I ever get a MAC I've just learned all sorts of things I have to keep in mind.

you can run your ubuntu on it as well...
with GIMP there are a few subtle differences but they have the same result...the basic operations are the same.

1 picture = 1 kiloword