Having trouble using git (followed directions)

[mmster55]

Hello there. I recently registered (although still waiting for the
activation email) and am trying to use git but am coming up with the
infamous:

Permission denied (publickey).
fatal: The remote end hung up unexpectedly

I tried adding my public key into the field on the account page but
everytime it saves, the email address at the end is stripped out.
Seems like that could be the problem. Any thoughts? Thanks.