Sagus and I want to eventually have a fenced in part of our yard to prevent child/dog escaping and a safe zone to let the animals and kids out without them running off.

Can someone give me some instructions on how to put up metal wire fencing so that it doesn't fall down... and what sort lasts a long time without rusting?

hi there .
first do you want chain link fence or wood post and wire (there are many different kinds of fence) if you want chain link (the best)
go to your local home depot or something simler.
you will need a post at each corner 2.5 inchs in diameter and if you want it 4 feet tall then you need the post at 6 feet tall. now you need to mark off you perfect place for the fence.
and dig four holes about 8 inchs in diameter and two feet deep then you need to get some cement(concrete) and mix it up put your post in
the holes and pour the wet cement into them . now your need a small level because you need to get the post level( straight up & down) now wait two days. depending on how much space is between the post you will need to brace the corner post each direction with some 1&5/8 top rail(1&5/8 inch pipe) then once you have that done you can stretch wire around to each post.
for a four foot fence i would put a top rail along the whole thing (no need for bracing the corner post) bit more cash but worth it.
ill see if i can draw up something for you.
you can also go to homedepot or lowes or your local fence builder and get some answers. as well. if you have a size that would be of great help then we can get everything perfect.

between post is no more than 10 feet 8 foot is better if you want it bigger then you will need more post 1.5/8 for the middle and also need some caps so the top rail can travel though.

maybe better pic

and one for wood post wire mesh.
the chain link is by far better and its life time

Heres what I did about 8 years ago.. It was suppose to be temporary, but its still good, so what the hay.....

I used 30" rabbit fencing and brought 10'lenghs of alum conduit pipe (3/4" dia) and cut it into 3 1/2' lengths ( 3 per pipe)....Wove the pipe(conduit) thru the fence about every 5 feet apart, and hammered the pipe into the ground...( of course, the ground down here is soft, so it was easy to do)
The 30' fence , 50' long ran about
$25 each... Did over 150' very cheaply...
For the rug rats, I would probable go to 36" fence and cut the pipe in half... There are stronger fencing than rabbit fences so you might want to check it out...
Doing what I did made a fairly attractive fence...
Check it out....A hell of a cheaper than "real" fencing....Easier too...

Chain link fencing is the most durable. It is best put up by professionals who have all the tools (like fence stretcher) that you do not want to buy for one fence job.

Chain link and its components (posts, gates, etc) are galvanized steel which does not rust.

It is not a job you want to tackle as a DIY project.

Thank you all for your input.

Sagus and I are working on thoroughly developing the ideas of what we want in a home so that we have complete and viable information.

chain link is the most durrable of all fence,s.
and you can get some pretty good parts that will give you privice as well. i was a fence installer builder for about seven years.
if it,s going around the house -yard then maybe a total wood fence is more to you liking. depends on what you like (neighbors ect )
if done properly they will last for years, but chain link is for ever.