Installing scientific software can often be a roadblock for molecular modelers, especially when strict system permissions or IT policies come into play. If you’ve ever faced the frustrating message that admin rights are required just to install a visualization or modeling tool, you’re not alone.
Thankfully, SAMSON, the platform for integrative molecular design, has been purposefully designed to avoid this common hurdle. If you’re working in a corporate, governmental, or educational setting where system installation permissions are limited — this post is for you.
Why Admin-Free Installation Matters
Admin rights are often tightly controlled in institutional environments. This means delays, IT support tickets, and potentially missed deadlines just to install necessary software. By removing this friction, SAMSON lets you stay focused on your molecular modeling work, not computer administration.
How SAMSON Handles Installation
SAMSON installs directly in the user’s home folder. It doesn’t write files to system folders, which bypasses the need for administrative privileges. Even better, it runs a check on startup to ensure it is not running with admin rights — a thoughtful design feature that emphasizes user security and good digital hygiene.
What Do You Need?
To get started with SAMSON, you’ll need to make sure your system meets the following basic requirements:
- 64-bit operating system (Windows 10/11, modern Linux distributions, or macOS Monterey 12+)
- OpenGL 4.1 support from your graphics card (install appropriate drivers for NVIDIA or AMD cards)
Additionally, if you’re running SAMSON in a virtual machine, make sure that GPU acceleration is enabled from the host system to avoid any graphical issues.
Special Considerations for Linux Users
Linux users might need additional packages, especially on Ubuntu and CentOS-based systems. Here’s what you might need to install if SAMSON doesn’t start correctly:
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sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0 libatomic1 |
Or on CentOS-like systems:
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sudo dnf install xcb-util* |
If you’re facing issues with OpenGL libraries, the troubleshooting guide offers specific advice for handling driver installations.
Straightforward Startup on All Platforms
After installation, launching SAMSON is simple and complies with user-space constraints:
- Windows: Via the Start menu or directly from the SAMSON installation folder in your user directory.
- macOS: Through the Launchpad or
$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/ - Linux: Use your Apps dashboard or create a custom alias to launch SAMSON via terminal.
Quick Tip for Educators and Students
Because SAMSON installs without admin rights, it’s particularly ideal for teaching environments. Students can install and run their own molecular modeling environments without requiring IT help — saving instructors time and enabling students to experiment freely.
For more installation guidance, consult the official SAMSON Getting Started Guide.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.