Making your own copy (fork) of ipython
You need to do this only once. The instructions here are very similar to the instructions at http://help.github.com/forking/ - please see that page for more detail. We're repeating some of it here just to give the specifics for the ipython_ project, and to suggest some default names.
Set up and configure a github_ account
If you don't have a github_ account, go to the github_ page, and make one.
You then need to configure your account to allow write access - see the Generating SSH keys help on `github help`_.
Create your own forked copy of ipython_
Log into your github_ account.
Go to the ipython_ github home at `ipython github`_.
Click on the fork button:
Now, after a short pause and some 'Hardcore forking action', you should find yourself at the home page for your own forked copy of ipython_.