>This is a little awkward to explain in English, but I want it to reach a larger audience.
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>When the author addresse the reader, in English he will write "you" (e.g., "now you can..." or "do this and that...", with the "you" implicit).
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>In Spanish, there are four forms of "you"; apart from singular and plural, there is also the distinction between a more formal manner ("usted", in the singular), and the more familiar one ("tú" in most regions).
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>There is a similar difference in most other languages.
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>Now, I was wondering which of the two forms is considered more appropriate to address the reader, either if someone writes an article in Spanish or Portuguese, or when translating into one of these languages.
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>I guess both are acceptable, but anyone want to give his opinion anyway, about his preference in this regard?

I would add that in some spanish speaking countries (e.g. Argentina) they also use "vos" instead of "tú" (just to confuse us <g>).

In Russian language the situation is very similar to Spanish; there is a formal "you" and familiar "you". I have not read Russian books for over 20 year but from what I remember, they would use a familiar "you" (like Spanish "tu") when addressing a reader.