You also will want to look at the different kinds of attachments to add to a fence so you can use it to do more than just straight ripping. Back issues of ShopNotes or many of the woodworking magazines are available at the library and can be ordered through inter-library loan if you don't have the resources to buy. That said, unless you have built several and fully understand the engineering of this kind of device, go with a tested design. One easy one is the plastic they use to make cutting boards. There are lots of things to make sliding bearings.
Powerful saws can actually send pieces of wood THROUGH people. If that gets off (or slips) it can create something called kickback, where the workpiece gets launched back at the operator strong enough to do serious damage. There are a lot of different ways to make a fence and the biggest part is keeping the fence square to the blade.