> It could be ran in a VM or even using windows compatibility layer.

The overwhelming majority of folks using this software seem to be extremely non-technical. Any of the options you listed would work for HN readers but not the general public. If it doesn't "just install" it's useless.

> The story calls the creator a genius, but really it's just a guy that had a passionate project.

Arguably, creating software that nobody else has managed to create that is beloved by its users is genius. He was clearly an exceptional engineer to have made the software and exceedingly business minded to get it into the hands of users and delight them. It's not hard to make mediocre software, but it's a terrific challenge to make it so good that your users are lost without it. You don't need to be in the running for the Turing award to be a genius.