As a molecular modeler, starting with the right tools can remove significant barriers and save you time right off the bat. Installing SAMSON, a cutting-edge software platform for computational nanoscience, is the first and essential step toward customizing your molecular design workflows. Here’s a detailed guide for installing SAMSON on different operating systems and ensuring your setup runs smoothly.
Why start with SAMSON?
SAMSON’s open architecture and capabilities for life sciences, material science, electronics, and more make it a versatile choice for molecular modelers. However, working without a clear and reliable installation process can create headaches, leaving precious time wasted sorting out hardware issues or software configurations. Let’s eliminate those steps.
Minimum Requirements
Before installing, confirm SAMSON’s compatibility with your system. Visit the Requirements and platforms page to determine operating system support, hardware needs, and Linux dependencies. Ensuring your system meets these prerequisites will make the installation process smooth and error-free.
A Step-by-Step Installation Guide
To install SAMSON, simply follow these instructions for your operating system:
Windows
On Windows, SAMSON can be accessed via the Start menu. If you can’t find it directly, you might want to search for it using the search bar or locate the executable in this folder:
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C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe |
MacOS
For Mac users, navigate to the Launchpad or your Applications folder. SAMSON will be installed in:
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$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/ |
Linux
On Linux systems, there are a couple of convenient ways to launch SAMSON. You can use the Apps dashboard or directly execute the SAMSON-Core.sh script from this directory:
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~/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries |
For an even faster process, consider creating an alias by adding the following code to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zprofile:
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alias samson='$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh' |
Once you’ve set up the alias, you can launch SAMSON by simply typing samson into your terminal.
Troubleshooting
While the installation process is straightforward, occasional hiccups may occur. SAMSON provides a dedicated Troubleshooting page to address common issues. Linux users working on systems with AMD/ATI graphics cards will find specific solutions tailored to their setup.
Next Steps After Installation
After installation, you’ll want to move onto exploring SAMSON’s interface and opening molecular structures. Consider reading the following guides to deepen your understanding:
- First Look: the Interface – A fast orientation to SAMSON’s main parts.
- Loading Molecules – Guidance for opening structural files and managing documents effectively.
- SAMSON Connect – Learn about extensions and shared resources to maximize productivity.
Learn More
For more detailed steps and updated instructions, visit the original SAMSON Getting Started guide at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/getting-started/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get started today by downloading SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.