For molecular modelers, setting up professional-grade software like SAMSON can sometimes be a time-consuming or frustrating experience, especially when administrative permissions are required. However, SAMSON takes a user-first approach with one of its standout features: you can install it without needing admin rights. This is great news for users working on systems where administrative privileges are restricted, such as shared environments or institutional computers.
Why You Don’t Need Admin Rights
SAMSON is designed to work seamlessly in your user environment, without interfering with the system-level settings. Instead of requiring installation in restricted system folders, SAMSON installs directly in your user’s home directory. Moreover, SAMSON checks at startup to ensure it is not running in admin mode, as extra administrative privileges could unintentionally compromise security. This approach helps users focus on their modeling work without worrying about red tape.
How to Install SAMSON
The installation process for SAMSON is straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:
- Download the SAMSON installer for your operating system from the official Getting Started guide.
- Run the installer without any special permissions. You don’t need to grant admin rights at any point during installation.
- Follow the step-by-step instructions in the installer to complete the setup process. If you’d like, you can even choose to install an older version of SAMSON during the setup (more on that here).
Can I Use SAMSON on Virtual Machines?
Yes, SAMSON can also be installed on virtual machines (VMs). However, there’s a small but critical point to keep in mind: ensure that your VM is set up with hardware GPU acceleration. Without hardware GPU support, SAMSON might struggle to run because its functionalities rely on certain OpenGL features, which may not be fully supported by a VM’s display driver. Check your VM software documentation to enable GPU acceleration and ensure smooth performance.
Where to Get Your SAMSON Key
Once installed, you’ll need your SAMSON Key to activate your instance. This key can be accessed in your account on SAMSON Connect. Simply log in, navigate to your account settings, and copy your key. Make sure there are no extra spaces or symbols when entering it during installation.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve been hesitant to try SAMSON due to concerns about admin rights, hopefully, this guide highlights how easy the process has been designed to be. Installing SAMSON in non-restricted environments while still maintaining robust functionality and security makes it suitable and convenient for a wide range of users, from academic researchers to private developers.
For detailed instructions or more help, don’t forget to check out the official FAQ page.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get started today by downloading SAMSON from SAMSON Connect.