title: How do I control Java/Swing GUI component alignment using NetBeans IDE?
body: <p>As a NetBeans novice, I'm laying out a pretty simple 2-panel GUI using NetBeans 7.0, and I'm having the craziest time getting some components (JButtons, JLabels, JSlider) to stay where I position them within the enclosing JPanel!</p>
  
  <p>For example, when I drag one of the buttons to the upper left corner of its enclosing panel, I never see any guidelines, and when I release it, it zooms back toward the center of the panel, disturbing the placement of other components, and enlarging both the panel and, ultimately, the JFrame.  It's as if the button somehow imagines itself to be a lot larger, or to need a lot more room around its edges, then it really does.</p>
  
  <p>I hope that's enough information for someone with experience to readily diagnose my problem; otherwise I'll try to answer follow-up questions.</p>