Do you have to soak pintos for 8 hrs before cooking?!

You don't need to boil them for an hour, you need to bring them to a boil for about 5 minutes, cover them and let them cool for at least an hour. This is the quick soak method. Make sure you drain and rinse the soak water off before using the beans, this helps get rid of the "toots".

You can use the quick soak method as an alternative, which is how I prefer to cook them.
first sort the beans, removing any inferior beans, rocks or dirt. Next rinse them several times. Place in pot with about 6 cups of cold water. Brink to a boil. Boil them for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover. Allow them to soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans again. Using fresh water, use about 6 to 8 cups of water for one lb. of beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover, but not completely. Cook at a simmer for 11/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Drain andServe, or add to recipe.II hope I've been of help.

I think that depends greatly on where you live. I sometimes, but not always, soaked beans overnight - or the quick method several people have mentioned - when I lived at lower elevations. But now I live at about 7000 feet above sea level and I have to soak overnight AND cook in a pressure cooker. You might want to ask what others do in your area. Soaking never hurts.

if you don't have time to soak them overnight then you can just bring them to a boil, turn off the heat and put a lid on. let sit for 1 hour, then cook as usual

You can boil dried beans for 1 hour and then let them sit until cool and then use them in a recipe. It is called the Quick Soak Method.

Many books and experience

You can but it's not absolutely necessary. I generally don't soak them.

You don't have to, but apparently soaking them makes you less gassy... :-)

try here, www.frillme.com

they have some good recipes and tips.