:: Is it ok to short some
:: of the not-connected pins with the pins that are functional so
:: that it
:: will be easier to solder?

If the pins are marked N/C on the data sheet then these are just there 
to provide package stability for soldering purposes.

If you do need to connect them to other pins - I'd connect them to 
ground, as a just incase measure - apart from which to my mind it 
feels neater.

If you have thin solder, and access to a vice I suggest - tinning the 
wires or components first - if you don't have a vice to hold th eleads 
then the trick is to bend your solder up by 90 degrees so it is 
vertical to the solder reel - wet your tip and then with a little 
practice you'll be able to wipe the wire end across the solder, with 
the wire/lead in between the iron bit and the solder.

A dab of solder on the IC pins that need to be soldered - then just 
wave the wire reasonably close to the pin, gently apply the iron, and 
the pretinned components will join like a flux made in ether!

Colin
--
cdb, colin@btech-online.co.uk on 3/04/2009
 
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