Spend $89 extra and get a legitimate copy of Windows XP Pro SP2. Then install it instead of the Vista crap.
And what about all the .x files that she/he won’t be able to download? patches and more patches.
512MB is probably going to be to little for Vista. For the cost of upgrading the memory, you can follow TommyDale’s advice and get Windows XP.
I have run XP Pro in a professional programming environment for several years with no problems. This means Lotus Notes[a real memory hog], FireFox, along with either Xwindows or Eclipse, running dual monitor with four virtual desktops.