Burned up my first chip!

[Sandy]

>Ooops.
>
>I think I shorted two of the leads coming out of the chip with the
>voltmeter probes.  1) Did that do it? 2) Inputing 12 volts didn't do it,
>did it?  3) Did having no load do it?  4) Does it need a heat sink which
>is why the back side was nice and shiney?

A short would do it, the 12V input is fine and depending on the load you
_may_ need to heat sink it. No load should not cause a problem. 

>
>I found a store near me that sells 6000 types of chips and surplus parts
>for a lot less than Rat Shack.  But the hours are inconvenient and the
>owner is a jerk.  Can't have everything.

Sounds like a guy near me!

Sandy