A simple solution to this problem is implied here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/avahi/+bug/153644 Changing the /etc/nsswitch.conf file's hosts line from
hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mdns4
to
hosts: files dns mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] mdns4
solves the problem. I'm still uncertain of the usefulness of avahi, but at least it's not in the way.
A simple solution to this problem is implied here: https:/ /bugs.launchpad .net/ubuntu/ +source/ avahi/+ bug/153644
Changing the /etc/nsswitch.conf file's hosts line from
hosts: files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mdns4
to
hosts: files dns mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] mdns4
solves the problem. I'm still uncertain of the usefulness of avahi, but at least it's not in the way.