Transform moves are currently (v 1.7.0.238) absolute based on the rulers. It would be nice if moves could also be made RELATIVE to the current position of the object.
Yes, I know that one can do arithmetic in the Transform x,y values boxes, e.g. "+1.5" and end up in the place desired for the FIRST iteration of, say, a duplicate but the resultant duplicate then has a new absolute value in the x, y boxes. Instead of being "1.5", the relative move distance, it will be "2.5", a total of the original y location plus 1.5 . Any attempt to put a second duplicate the same distance away from the first duplicate as the first dupe is from the original (i.e. 1.5 ) results in an error.
Why is this of concern? You cannot then do a step-and-repeat numerically using the Transform dialogue and CTRL+J. You have to move the first duplicate manually. Only then is the movement recorded as relative and only then will the relocation of the subsequent duplicates be accurate.
I would say relative moves are done far more often than absolute moves anyway and should be an option in the Transform palette.