For many molecular modelers working in university labs, research facilities, or strict IT environments, installing new software can become a frustrating experience. Why? Because installing software often requires administrative privileges, meaning researchers have to wait for IT approval or assistance—a process that can take days or even weeks.
SAMSON, the integrative platform for modeling nanoscopic systems, provides a refreshing exception. One of its most user-friendly advantages is that it does not require administrator rights to install or run. This small feature can make a big difference, particularly in environments where agility and independence matter.
Why It Matters
Let’s imagine a postdoc eager to test out a new protein-ligand interaction tool in SAMSON’s extension ecosystem. Repeated IT roadblocks can kill momentum. Or maybe a student attending a workshop wants to follow along with hands-on exercises. They have the laptop, but not admin access…
With SAMSON, there’s no longer a need to open a support ticket or schedule an IT appointment. Simply download and install it—all within the user’s home directory. Quick and independent access is possible because:
- No admin rights are required. You can install SAMSON as a normal user.
- SAMSON refuses to run in admin mode. This promotes better digital hygiene and makes the platform safer to use.
Installation in Practice
You can download the SAMSON installer directly from SAMSON Connect. During the process, you’ll be asked for your registration email and a SAMSON key, which is securely stored in your SAMSON account.
SAMSON adapts to Windows, macOS (including ARM chips), and Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS. On Linux, extra flexibility is provided with CLI installation options and the ability to create aliases for quick terminal access:
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alias samson='$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/10.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh' |
Running SAMSON
Once installed, SAMSON launches like any other app—no special mode, no elevated privileges, just molecular modeling ready to go.
- ✔️ On Windows: Launch from the Start menu or your installation directory.
- ✔️ On macOS: Open from Launchpad or the Applications folder.
- ✔️ On Linux: Use the provided shell script or your configured alias.
By removing the friction of installation, SAMSON makes itself more accessible to educators, students, and researchers working across diverse platforms and IT environments.
Want to Learn More?
Check the full Getting Started guide for SAMSON for platform-specific tips and configuration advice.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.