Many researchers in academia and industry face the same challenge: powerful new molecular modeling tools exist, but installing them on shared or restricted systems often requires admin privileges. If you’ve ever spent days waiting for IT approvals just to try out a simulation tool, you’re not alone.
This is where SAMSON provides a welcome change. Designed for computational nanoscience and adaptable across molecular modeling applications, SAMSON doesn’t require administrator rights to install or run. This means that chemistry students on university lab networks, structural biologists working remotely, or researchers operating in locked-down enterprise environments can install and launch SAMSON without delays.
Why This Matters
Admin restrictions are common in many institutional environments. Whether it’s lab machines controlled by IT departments, virtual machines with limited permissions, or working on borrowed devices, the requirement for elevated privileges can easily block access to useful tools.
By allowing installation in the user’s home directory and explicitly refusing to run in admin mode, SAMSON removes friction and encourages best practices in security and usability. No more asking for elevated accounts or workarounds just to get started.
Getting Started
To install SAMSON without admin rights:
- Head over to the SAMSON Connect download page and create a free account if needed.
- Download the corresponding installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- During installation, enter your email and SAMSON Key (available in your account settings).
- No system-level modification will be requested. SAMSON installs in your user space.
System Requirements:
- 64-bit operating system is required
- A graphics card supporting OpenGL 4.1
- NVIDIA/AMD users: ensure you have appropriate drivers
Linux Notes
Linux users might need to install a few additional dependencies before launching SAMSON (especially for Ubuntu or CentOS-based systems):
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sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0 libatomic1 |
Or for CentOS:
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sudo dnf install xcb-util* |
This ensures the underlying graphical libraries required for SAMSON to render molecular models are present on your system.
Virtual Machines and GPUs
SAMSON supports installation and operation on virtual machines, but if you’re using one, make sure it has access to hardware GPU acceleration. This is key to ensuring smooth rendering and simulation performance.
Running SAMSON
After installation, launching SAMSON is straightforward:
- Windows: Launch SAMSON from the Start menu or this path:
C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/10.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe - macOS: Found in
$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/ - Linux: Run
./SAMSON-Core.shfrom the installation folder or create an alias for convenience.
Once launched, SAMSON automatically checks for updates and retrieves the latest compatible SAMSON Extensions, so you’re always working with current features and module versions.
No More Waiting on IT
With SAMSON, you can install advanced molecular modeling tools within minutes — even in environments where admin rights are restricted. This means faster onboarding for students, smoother workflows in labs, and more time exploring molecular systems instead of dealing with logistics.
To learn more, visit the SAMSON documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.