for most straightforward ripping operations, you want the blade between
your body and the fence so that as you push the wood through you
naturally push it against the fence. you want your primary arm closer
to in line with the blade, so that the rest of your body is farther
from being in line with the blade. so if you are right handed, you want
to stand to the left of the blade, with the fence to the right of the
blade.

special saw operations can vary, and if you're left handed flip
everything...