Newbie..Advise Installing Custom ROM on Note 2

[ShaQBlogs]

I'm attempting to root and maybe install a custom ROM. Being a little cautious, since my first time even rooting a device. Have done some reading and this is what i'm aware of so far. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

This is what i basically need to do

1. Root device for SU privileges (ODIN).
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP / CWM - popular ones).
3. Backup Stock ROM using custom recovery.
4. Install Custom ROM using custom recovery.

I'm aware step 1 & 2 are the ones that i should be careful about, which can brick the device.

Here's what I understand of ODIN & TWRP / CWM
ODIN

• Odin is stock recovery that comes in most Samsung android devices.
• Odin is used to flash an unrooted device to either gain root access or to upgrade the stock firmware.

TWRP / CWM

• TWRP / CWM are custom recovery firmware to replace the stock recovery firmware.
• Can backup stock recovery. Anything goes wrong we can fall back to stock recovery.
• Install Custom ROM. Unleash customization power of android.

Since 1 & 2 are steps to watch out for, I would like to know for my device Note 2 (N7100, ver 4.4.2),
1. How to gain root access.
2. How to install custom Recovery.

Are these steps android version dependent? (I'm aware some are device/model dependent)