Jim,
Ernie and myself (he's from a fishing site that both Jim and I belong to) were talking about just that.
Originally I was just going to buy a transparency scanner, and scan the negatives or slides.
However I came to realize that if I want the full film advantage I'm better off to develop it in an actual darkroom, and use a normal scanner to post my results.
Ernie agreed with me, although we might be the only 2 people with that opinion.
I know that it's hard to find a shop where they'll actually develop film these days, but I understand that developing your own B&W isn't all that hard
I'll find out soon enough on my own.
I should mention that not every shop can develop true B&W, or slides.
And they don't always look to see what you hand them.
I understand that their chemicals will actually destroy the film.
So before you hand them either make sure that they can, and they know what your giving them.