First, to get the big picture, where RDF fits in, read the following interesting Scientific American
article by Tim Berners-Lee et al:
 * http://www.scientificamerican.com/2001/0501issue/0501berners-lee.html


The "RDF Model and Syntax Specification" is almost written as a tutorial, read it at:
 * http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-rdf-syntax/

Further RDF resources are listed at:
 * http://www.w3.org/RDF/
 * http://www.ilrt.bris.ac.uk/discovery/rdf/resources/
 * ...

RDF is a small, simple but significant piece in a larger picture,
the big picture is described in further detail at:
 * http://www.w3.org/DesignIssues/Overview.html