How to install Linux on a laptop?

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This page is place holder for a project to install Linux on a laptop, keeping windows already installed on the laptop, in order to dual boot.

We are going to perform the following steps in order:

1) Learn to boot the laptop using an external boot device (usb stick...). See https://linux.overshoot.tv/wiki/boot_external_device .

2) Investigate the amount of data on the hard drives, space left, etc. and make a backup of the system and all important files.

3) Partition the hard drive to make space for the Linux operating system. This step is critical as a wrong manipulation may lead to data loss. That is why proper planning and backups are important. https://linux.overshoot.tv/taxonomy/term/367

4) Install the Linux operating system on its assigned partition. We are going to install Calculate Linux, which is gentoo-based and compatible with Gentoo, and which is also a binary distro, so we do not have the hassle to compile every single package on the laptop.

5) Install the boot loader, so that we can conveniently dual boot.

6) Continue configuring the new Linux system and the whole stack of applications, to suit the needs and preferences of the user.