New computers do not require the Java download as it is already embedded in the system. Once you install the Java upgrade on an older system, VASL and VASSAL both install in a snap. The entire Java 2 runtime environment on my computer is about 87 MB. That came installed. When I installed on a different computer that did not have the latest Java version, it did not take that long and was fairly seemless once I figured it out.
VASL has to make choices. Write for Java that runs on every system regardless of OS or write for Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. etc. The Java runs well and I commend it to your use. I have no connection to Rodney or any one else associated with Rodney. As an end user that has had ASL reopened by VASL alone, I am grateful for its existence and the latest and greatest version is working well now with the memory allocations reset. Perhaps your installation problems are OE.