Hey rockytoptim,
it is important to understand that git is not github.
Git is a version control software. It has many advantages in comparison to other versioning systems. I run git since it exists and can only recommend it. It is a free and open source software.
In fact the actual way to use and contribute to a git repository is to first mirror the codebase of the repository on your local computer. This is done by a simple command in your local installation of git. This is because git is designed to be a Distributed Version Control System (as opposed to a server-client service).
GitHub, Inc. is a internet hoster that uses git. It has nothing to do with git except that it uses git to provide its service. You do not need to use github.com for working on a git repository or your fork of one. You can use your local installation of the git software alone to contribute to any git repository.
I do not particularly like github.com, and since it was acquired by microsoft, well…
If you are new to using a version control software, it would be the best to first install git and learn to use it and to understand how it works.
Git Homepage:
Git’s Git Repository:
