On Sat, 16 Jan 1999, Luke Mewburn wrote:

> If /etc/nsswitch.conf does not exist or cannot be read, all database
> methods (such as `hosts', `passwd', `group') default to `files'.

sendmail is going to need some attention, too. It currently defaults
to "hosts dns files", unless changes are made to the undocumented
(except in the sources) /etc/service.switch file.