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Stanford SNSF
Stanford Nano Shared Facilities
Stanford Nano Shared Facilities

Lab Management Software

Overview

SNSF uses a lab management software "Badger" to help run our tools. Our partner facility, SNF uses the same software solution, but we each have separate instances of Badger to run our labs.

Each lab member needs to be set up with a Badger account. This allows you to "enable" those tools in the lab, which you have been trained and qualified to use. "Enabling" activates a piece of equipment and starts the clock for tracking your lab fees; thus, your Badger account is linked to your billing information.

Installing SNSF Badger

There are some computers around our facilities that allow lab members to use the Badger application. We recommend installing the application on your computer. To install Badger on your computer, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure that your Access Form was approved
  2. Install Java Runtime Environment (requirement: JRE 1.8 or higher):
  3. Make sure that Java is installed before proceeding.
  4. Download the Badger application by navigating to: http://snc1.badgerlms.com/badger/etc/badger.jnlp
    • This hyperlink doesn't work on Google Chrome. Either copy paste the URL into a new tab or use another browser.
    • This should download the Badger file and once complete run the Badger application. Check your browser's downloads folder if the badger.jnlp file doesn't automatically open.
      • Notes: You will most likely see warnings about the certificate that you need to click OK to complete the installation.
  5. Use the "New Member?" button on the login screen to complete the application for a Badger account. You must have a valid PTA to complete the application.
  6. It usually takes 1-3 business days to review the account request and receive a confirmation email that the account is active. If you do not receive this notification, please send us an email nanoadmin@lists.stanford.edu.
  7. Once your account application is approved, you can continue with equipment training. Check our website for instrument specific training requirements and procedures that we have in place for each tool.

SNSF Badger Web Version and Dashboards

The web version is limited in functionality compared to the Java Badger version. 
https://snc1.badgerlms.com:8443/WebServices/mbadger

Bookmark the following dashboards:
Nanofabrication; X-ray & Surface Analysis Facilities:
http://snc1.badgerlms.com/badger/DashboardSNSF.html

Soft & Hybrid Materials Facility: 
http://snc1.badgerlms.com/badger/DashboardSNSF-SMF.html

Electron & Ion Microscopy; X-ray & Surface Analysis Facilities:
http://snc1.badgerlms.com/badger/DashboardSNSF-SNL.html

Frequently Asked Questions 

  1. When creating my SNSF badger account, which lab should I choose?
    • For “Lab”, you may choose any lab among SNC, SNL and SMF, they all fall under the big umbrella of SNSF.
  2.  How do I reset my password?
    • When opening up the Badger software, you will see an icon at the bottom of the window for “Lost Password?”. Click the icon and follow the procedures to have an auto-generated password sent to your email account with instructions on how reset your password.
  3. I already have a SNF badger account, do I need to create a SNSF badger account?
    • Yes, (it can be a bit confusing), SNF and SNSF are 2 different organizations. Also remember that you will need to install a separate Badger application for each of those labs.
  4. How do I replace my PTA on my SNSF Badger Account?
  5. I recently tried logging into my SNSF Badger account and I got a message that I am not an active user. What do I need to do?
    • Your account was probably inactivated due to expired authorization. There is a good chance that you have received an email from us about this, so check for this first for instructions.
    • Internal users: complete SNSF Access authorization form
  6. How do I reinstate my SNSF Badger Account?
  7. How can I create an SNSF badger account?
    • Make sure that you have completed all the necessary training and submitted all forms as detailed in "Join SNSF" before you follow the instructions for creating a Badger software account.
    • See above for creating an SNSF Badger account.
  8. My organization doesn't allow me to install the Badger lab software on my computer. What can I do?
    • You can use a personal computer that doesn't have these restrictions. We also have a few terminals around our facilities that you can use when you are on site. Please let us know if you need help locating these.
  9. Mac only: Badger download will not open due to security settings.
    • To override the Apple security issue with the Badger app, start by copying the downloaded Badger.jnlp file to the desired final destination. Right-click to open the Badger.jnlp file, choose “Open with”, and make sure it defaults to JavaLauncher.app. That should open up the Badger application.
    • If you also allow Badger to create a shortcut, it will be stored in your exceptions such that you ought not run into the same issue in the future.
  10. I updated the Badger application but it still asks me to update every time I open it. How can I fix this?
    • This is a known issue that the update doesn't stay. You will need to remove and reinstall Badger from scratch (see below).
    • After reinstalling you will be good until the Badger server releases a new update (2-3 times per year).
  11. How do I reinstall the Badger application?
    1. On a Windows PC, press the "Win-key" and "R" at the same time to bring up the run prompt.
    2. Enter "javaws -viewer" and press "OK".
    3. This will bring up the list of installed java applications.
    4. Select the "Badger-SNC" application and click on the "Remove" button to complete the uninstall of the Badger application. 
    5. Close all Java windows.
    6. Follow the instructions to install the Badger application above.
  12. How do I remove the Badger application from my computer?
    • Follow FAQ #10 to remove all applications using the javaws -viewer command
  13. How can I make the Badger application use larger fonts?
    • Some newer computers use high DPI displays to achieve smooth, crisp graphics and sharp, clear text. Natively, these displays “upscale” all text and icons so that they appear bigger and make viewing easier. Unfortunately, by default this does not apply to Java applets such as Badger, leading to a very small Badger window and almost unreadably small text.
    • In order to apply scaling to Badger you should complete the following steps on Windows:
      1. Locate the Badger icon (usually on the desktop). 
      2. Right click on the "Badger-SNSF" icon.
      3. Select "Properties".
      4. Select the "Compatibility" tab. 
      5. Under “Settings”, check “Override high DPI scaling behavior”.
      6. Set “Scaling performed by:” to “System”. 
      7. Click “OK” to save the settings. From now on Badger should open as a large, “upscaled” window.
  14. Badger give error message: "Can not determine java home"
  15. Error Message: Java Installation Not Completed
    • After executing the badger.jnlp, the following message appears: 
    • The issue is that the jnlp file is not associated with javaws.exe. To open the file, do the following:
      1. Download and locate the badger.jnlp file on your computer.
      2. Right click on badger.jnlp.
      3. Choose “Open with”. 
      4. Choose “look for another app on this PC”. 
      5. Select “javaws.exe”  and click “open”. 
  16. Java 8 update 351
  17. Java Auto-Update
    • To avoid Java automatically updating to a version that might no longer work with Badger, you may disable "Automatic Updates" in the Java Control Panel.  
  18. Badger Usage Reports
    • Active SNSF users can run their own usage reports from their Badger accounts. These reports can be helpful to verify charges and keep track of activities within the lab.
    1. Log into your Badger account by double clicking on the icon.
    2. Enter your e-mail address and password, then click Login.
    3. Select "Reports > Financial Detail".
    4. A different window will pop-up, select Lab from the drop-down menu.
      Note: SNSF instruments reside in 3 Labs (SNC, SNL, SMF). Reports are lab specific, to get a full report, you will need to run the report for each lab.
    5. Select Report: Member Financial Detail from the drop-down menu.
      Enter the month you want to view the usage information (date format: MM/YYYY).
      Click "Display".
    6. The report displays the tools used, username and e-mail address, the date of the usage, PTA, hours used and cost of the usage.
      Amount column: tool usage in minutes.
      Rawcost column: tool usage x tool rate.
      Click on Save (Excel) if you want to download the report in excel format for further analysis.
    7. Review the instrument usage report and inform the tool owner/lab manager if there are any adjustments needed before the end of each month.
    • Notes:
      • SNSF instruments reside in 3 "Labs". To get a full report, you will need to run the report for each lab.
      • Applicable IDC charges are not displayed and are added when an invoice is sent out to an external customer.
      • A group leader or financial administrator may request group members to run and share these reports for further analysis.
      • The report will generally not show charges of the current day. To view those, wait until the next day to rerun the report.