I think it's more appreciated that he was the one who implemented it rather than it just being the obvious solution. Not that I think Williamson perused the interwebs looking for ways to save Wally .
I mean, good is in the eye of the beholder, but I say that as someone who enjoys Williamson's work for the most part so I guess I'm biased in his favor. I haven't read much of IF aside from bits and pieces but I see some promise in it.