Molecular modellers often face a recurring obstacle when working in institutional or shared environments: restrictive installation rights on their workstations. Whether it’s a university lab, a corporate firewall, or a managed cloud desktop, not having administrator access can make installing complex computational software a real challenge.
Thankfully, SAMSON, the integrative platform for computational nanoscience, offers a frictionless installation process that doesn’t require administrator rights. This makes it especially suited for researchers, educators, and students who need fast access to molecular modeling tools without the need to involve a system administrator.
Why Installing Without Admin Rights Matters
Many scientific software platforms still require elevated permissions to install. This can slow down the research process or completely block productive workflows — especially when upgrading the software, adding plug-ins, or setting up new devices.
SAMSON solves this by installing directly into the user’s home directory. Furthermore, it checks at startup to confirm it isn’t running in admin mode, encouraging better software hygiene and safer practices.
SAMSON Installation: Step by Step
1. Check system requirements. SAMSON requires a 64-bit operating system and a GPU that supports OpenGL 4.1. Ensure your graphics drivers are compatible (NVIDIA or AMD preferred).
2. Download the installer. Head to SAMSON Connect. You’ll need to log in or create an account. Upon download, you’ll receive a unique SAMSON key.
3. Run the installer. Windows and macOS users can launch it as they would any application. On Linux, first make the file executable and run it using:
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chmod +x ./SAMSON-Setup.run QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb ./SAMSON-Setup.run |
4. Enter your SAMSON key and email. You’ll be prompted to input the registration email and key you received. Advanced installation mode allows you to choose the installation folder or version.
5. SAMSON Connect verification. The installer confirms internet access to download necessary extensions. If you’re behind a proxy, you can input proxy settings (often needed in university or hospital networks).
6. Finish installation and launch. Once installed, SAMSON is ready to use and will not require admin credentials at any point. This means you’re now free to work, update, and extend the platform independently.
Bonus: Cross-Platform Support
SAMSON works on Windows 10/11, macOS (Intel and ARM), and various Linux distributions including Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora, and CentOS. This makes it easy to set up in mixed environments or collaborate across teams.
Final Tips
- You can set up command-line aliases on Linux to launch SAMSON more easily.
- You’ll always have access to the latest extensions thanks to automatic updates — no admin password needed.
- If you encounter graphics compatibility issues (especially on laptops with Intel GPUs), visit the troubleshooting section of the documentation.
To learn more, visit the full documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/getting-started/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.