Ah, sometimes it is hard to find a good LUG. Sometime you just have to keep trying. The Linux Nazi's can take over a LUG if they aren't careful.

Strange that there aren't any Linux shops, esp around a university...

As for ISPs:
This is a loaded question that comes with a yes and a no answer. Some ISP software is just a PPP script that can be copied and used (eg Earthlink). Some ISP software is a little more complicated than that, and you have to jump through a few hoops (eg AOL).

For most broadband providers it is a non-issue as their software does nothing more than install a toolbar in IE

Check out:
http://www.knowplace.org/ppp.html