Skateboarding: Culture, Craft & How to Build Your Own Board

Skateboarding is more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle, a creative outlet, and a global culture. From street skating to vert ramps, from beginners learning their first ollie to pros filming video parts, skateboarding continues to evolve while staying rooted in individuality and freedom.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

The basics of skateboarding culture The best skateboarding brands (with direct links) A step-by-step guide on how to build your own custom skateboard

Why Skateboarding Is More Popular Than Ever

Skateboarding has exploded in popularity thanks to:

Its inclusion in the Olympic Games Social media exposure from pro skaters Growing skate parks worldwide The rise of DIY and custom setups

Skateboarding offers fitness, creativity, and community—all with minimal equipment.

The Best Skateboarding Brands (Trusted Worldwide)

These brands are known for quality, durability, and credibility in the skate community.

🛹 Decks (Boards)

Element Skateboards

Sustainable decks with excellent pop and durability.

https://www.elementbrand.comhttps://www.elementbrand.com

Santa Cruz Skateboards

One of the most iconic brands in skate history.

👉 https://www.santacruzskateboards.com

Baker Skateboards

Street-focused decks used by many pro skaters.

👉 https://www.bakerskateboards.com

Zero Skateboards

Hard-hitting designs and solid construction.

👉 https://zeroskateboards.comhttps://www.elementbrand.com

🔩 Trucks

Independent Trucks

The industry standard for strength and turning response.

👉 https://www.independenttrucks.com

Thunder Trucks

Lightweight trucks with fast, responsive turning.

👉 https://www.thundertrucks.com

Venture Trucks

Great balance between stability and agility.

👉 https://www.venturetrucks.net

⚙️ Wheels

Spitfire Wheels

Top-tier urethane for speed, grip, and durability.

👉 https://www.spitfirewheels.com

Bones Wheels

Known for long-lasting formulas and smooth rolls.

👉 https://bones.com

⚙️ Bearings

Bones Bearings

The gold standard for speed and reliability.

👉 https://bonesbearings.com

🧷 Grip Tape & Hardware

Mob Grip – Industry favorite grip tape

👉 https://mobgrip.com

Shake Junt – Hardware, grip, and accessories

👉 https://shakejunt.com

👟 Shoes & Apparel

Vans Skateboarding

Classic skate shoes with board feel and durability.

👉 https://www.vans.com/skate

Nike SB

High-performance skate shoes and apparel.

👉 https://www.nikesb.com

Thrasher Magazine

Iconic skate culture brand.

👉 https://www.thrashermagazine.com

How to Build Your Own Skateboard (Step-by-Step)

Building your own skateboard allows you to customize feel, performance, and style.

1️⃣ Choose Your Deck

Pick a size based on your skating style:

7.75”–8.0” → Technical street skating 8.0”–8.5” → All-around skating 8.5”+ → Transition, bowls, and ramps

🔗 Buy decks from:

Element – https://www.elementbrand.com Baker – https://www.bakerskateboards.com Santa Cruz – https://www.santacruzskateboards.com

2️⃣ Select Your Trucks

Match truck width to your deck size.

Example: 8.0” deck → 139mm trucks

🔗 Trusted truck brands:

Independent – https://www.independenttrucks.com Thunder – https://www.thundertrucks.com

3️⃣ Pick Your Wheels

Choose wheels based on terrain:

99A–101A hardness → Street & skate parks 78A–90A hardness → Rough pavement & cruising

🔗 Wheel brands:

Spitfire – https://www.spitfirewheels.com Bones – https://bones.com

4️⃣ Add Bearings

Bearings determine your speed and smoothness.

🔗 Bones Bearings – https://bonesbearings.com

5️⃣ Apply Grip Tape

Grip tape provides foot control for tricks.

🔗 Mob Grip – https://mobgrip.com

6️⃣ Get Hardware & Tools

You’ll need bolts, nuts, and a skate tool.

🔗 Shake Junt – https://shakejunt.com

🛠 Assembly Order

Apply grip tape to your deck Screw in trucks with hardware Insert bearings into wheels Mount wheels onto trucks Tighten everything and you’re ready to ride

Beginner Tips for Your First Setup

Don’t overtighten trucks—start loose and adjust Use medium-hard wheels (99A) for versatility Always wear a helmet when learning Practice basics before tricks: pushing, stopping, turning

Final Thoughts

Skateboarding is about expression, progression, and community. Whether you’re cruising your neighborhood or perfecting kickflips at the park, having the right setup makes all the difference.

By using trusted brands like Element, Baker, Independent, Bones, and Spitfire, you ensure your board performs well and lasts longer. Building your own skateboard not only saves money—it connects you to the craft of skating itself.

Best Ways to Monetize Your Website in 2026 — Ads, Affiliates & Networks That Pay

If you’re running a website and want to earn real revenue — whether through display ads, affiliate partnerships, or hybrid monetization — this guide breaks down the best platforms and programs you can join today.

We’ll cover:

Ad Networks (display ads) Affiliate Programs (pay-per-sale or referral) Premium Monetization Platforms Tips to Maximize Earnings

✅ 1. Top Ad Networks to Earn Revenue From Your Site

Display advertising is one of the easiest ways to monetize traffic. These networks serve ads and pay you based on impressions (CPM) and clicks (CPC).

🟦 Google AdSense

One of the most popular ad networks in the world. Easy to set up and integrates with most CMS platforms.

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.google.com/adsense/start/

🟧 Media.net

Contextual ad network powered by Yahoo and Bing. Great alternative to AdSense.

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.media.net/signup/

🔵 Ezoic

AI-driven optimization platform that tests ad placements to increase revenue. Works well for blogs and niche sites.

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.ezoic.com/

🟩 Mediavine

Premium ad management for content creators with high traffic. Known for strong RPMs.

🔗 Apply here: https://www.mediavine.com/apply/

(Note: Mediavine typically requires minimum monthly traffic.)

🟥 AdThrive

Another premium ad network with excellent payout rates, especially for U.S.-based audiences.

🔗 Apply here: https://www.adthrive.com/apply/

🔶 PropellerAds

Good for push notifications, pop-unders, and display ads — often easier to get approved.

🔗 Sign up here: https://propellerads.com/

✅ 2. Best Affiliate Programs for Bloggers & Websites

Affiliate marketing allows you to place links or product recommendations that earn commission when someone buys or signs up.

🛒 Amazon Associates

The world’s largest affiliate program with products in almost every category.

🔗 Join here: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/

🔗 ShareASale

A network that connects you with thousands of affiliate merchants across niches.

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.shareasale.com/

🤝 CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)

A top affiliate network with established brands and high-value offers.

🔗 Join here: https://www.cj.com/

🛍️ Impact

Flexible affiliate platform with influencers, brands, SaaS partners, and big retailers.

🔗 Sign up here: https://impact.com/

📦 ClickBank

Digital products, e-courses, and software with high commissions (often 50%+).

🔗 Join here: https://www.clickbank.com/affiliate/

🛒 Awin

An affiliate network with retail, travel, finance, and subscription partners.

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.awin.com/us

✅ 3. Premium & Hybrid Monetization Platforms

These combine ads, affiliate links, and optimization tools.

🔄 AdThrive & Mediavine

Both offer personalized optimization, better RPMs, and support — but have traffic requirements.

💡 Monetization Tips

To maximize earnings:

✔ Place ads above the fold and in content

✔ Use high-value affiliate links within relevant posts

✔ Write product reviews and resource pages

✔ Track performance with analytics & A/B testing

✔ Choose platforms that fit your traffic level and audience type

📌 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right mix of ad networks and affiliate programs depends on:

Your traffic volume Your audience type And the content niche

Begin with:

Google AdSense or Media.net for general monetization Affiliate programs that match your content Consider Ezoic / Mediavine / AdThrive once traffic grows

השוואה עדכנית 2026: סלקום, פלאפון ופרטנר — איזו רשת סלולרית הכי מתאימה לכם?

השוק הסלולי בישראל מתאפיין בתחרות בין מספר חברות מובילות; שלוש מהבולטות הן סלקום, פלאפון ופרטנר. ההבדלים ביניהן עלולים להיות משמעותיים מבחינת מהירות גלישה, כיסוי, יציבות רשת וחוויית משתמש. במאמר זה נשווה בין שלוש החברות על-פי נתונים עדכניים, כדי לסייע לקורא לבחור את הספק המתאים לו בהתאם לצרכים האישיים שלו.

מדדי ביצועים טכניים — מהירות, כיסוי, יציבות

להלן נקודות מרכזיות על בסיס דוחות ציבוריים (כגון של OpenSignal והמדד של nPerf):

• כיסוי וזמינות

סלקום דורגה במקום הראשון בישראל במדד “Coverage Experience” (ציון 8.6 מתוך 10), מה שמצביע על כיסוי רחב ואמין במגוון אזורים.  פרטנר דורגה במקום השני במדד הכללי, עם ציון 8.0; דבר שמצביע על כיסוי נדיב גם כן, אך באופן מעט פחות אחיד.  פלאפון זכתה בציון הגבוה ביותר במדד “5G Coverage Experience” — כלומר, בקרב משתמשים עם 5G, משתמשי פלאפון קיבלו את הכיסוי הרחב ביותר בממוצע.  בכל שלוש החברות – סלקום, פלאפון, פרטנר – זמינות הרשת (Availability) גבוהה מאוד: רוב הזמן יש חיבור פעיל. 

• מהירות גלישה וחוויית שימוש

לפי הדו”ח של nPerf לשנת 2024 — פרטנר וסלקום אולי מובילות במעט במדדים מסוימים של מהירות וחוויית גלישה כוללת, אך ההפרש בינן לבין פלאפון הוא לרוב קטן.  עם זאת, פלאפון מדורגת מאוד גבוה במדדי 5G — הן במהירות הורדה והן בחוויית גלישה עבור יישומים תובעניים (וידאו, משחקים).  סלקום נהנית מיציבות רשת (Consistent Quality) — כלומר, משתמשיה חווים פחות נפילות ושיבושים, מה שמועיל במיוחד אם הגלישה או השיחות נעשות באופן אינטנסיבי. 

היתרונות והחסרונות של כל ספק — למי מיועד

🟦 סלקום

יתרונות

כיסוי רחב ואמין ברחבי הארץ (Coverage Experience מוביל). זמינות רשת גבוהה – חיבור כמעט תמיד זמין. יציבות (Consistent Quality), מה שמבטיח פחות נפילות, חיבור יציב לאפליקציות, וגלישה רצופה.

מתי כדאי לבחור בה

– אם אתה מחפש “שקט תפעולי”: גלישה ושיחות לאורך כל היום, גם בכבישים, בערים ובפריפריה.

– אם אתה משתמש באופן אינטנסיבי במובייל (סטרימינג, עבודה, שיחות וידאו) ונזקק לחיבור יציב.

🟩 פלאפון

יתרונות

5G חזק יחסית — כיסוי ומהירות גבוהים למשתמשים עם מכשירים ותשתית תואמת. חוויית גלישה טובה במיוחד ב-5G — מתאים למשתמשים שמחפשים מהירות מרבית.

מתי כדאי לבחור בה

– אם יש לך מכשיר תומך 5G ואתה מתכוון לנצל את המהירות (וידאו, משחקים, עבודה מהסלולרי).

– אם אתה גר/נמצא בעיקר בערים (שבהן 5G זמין) ורוצה שקצב הגלישה תמיד יהיה מקסימלי.

🟨 פרטנר

יתרונות

כיסוי וסלולר ברמה טובה — הציון בכיסוי מספיק גבוה ברוב המקומות. לעתים מציעה חבילות אטרקטיביות מבחינת עלות-תועלת (תלוי באזור ובמיקום אנטנות).

מתי כדאי לבדוק אותה

– אם אתה משווה בין עלות לחבילה לעומת מה שאתה מקבל — פרטנר עשויה להוות פתרון משתלם.

– אם האזור שבו אתה נמצא מקבל שירות טוב מפרטנר (מומלץ לבדוק קליטה באזור שלך).

דברים שחשוב לזכור — תלויי אזור ומכשיר

איכות הגלישה לא אחידה בכל הארץ: תלוי קרבה לאנטנות, צפיפות אוכלוסייה, עומסי רשת ועוד. מה שעובד טוב בעיר — לא תמיד יהיה טוב בפריפריה. חשוב לבדוק האם המכשיר שלך תומך בדור הרלוונטי (4G / 5G). משתמשים ב-5G יהנו יותר מהחבילות ומהמהירויות, אך אם המכשיר ישן — ייתכן שתפקוד הרשת יהיה דומה. “חוויית משתמש” כוללת לא רק מהירות גלישה אלא גם יציבות, זמינות, שירות, קלות שימוש, ותמורה למחיר.

סיכום והמלצה מרכזית

אם עלי לבחור ספק–“ברירת מחדל” שיתאים לרוב המשתמשים — הייתי ממליץ על סלקום, בזכות השילוב של כיסוי רחב, זמינות גבוהה ויציבות רשת.

אם אתה משתמש כבד ב-5G (מכשיר תומך, גר בעיר, צריך מהירות), פלאפון — יכולה להיות בחירה מצוינת.

ואם אתה מחפש פתרון עם עלות-תועלת שווה, לא בהכרח הטוב ביותר בכל מובן, אז פרטנר — בהחלט שווה בדיקה, במיוחד באזור בו השירות שלה טוב.

Artificial Intelligence: The Defining Field of Our Time

In the early 21st century, no field has captured public attention, economic investment, and global ambition more than Artificial Intelligence (AI). From transforming industries to raising ethical, political, and social questions, AI’s influence spans almost every domain of human life. This essay explores why AI is so central now, what opportunities and risks it brings, and how it could shape our future.

Why AI Is So Famous Now

Rapid Technological Progress Advances in computing power, large datasets, and algorithmic breakthroughs (especially in deep learning and natural language processing) have enabled machines to perform tasks once thought exclusive to humans. For example, AI systems can now generate coherent text, recognize images and speech, drive cars autonomously (in some contexts), and assist in medical diagnoses. Economic Incentives Governments, corporations, and startups worldwide are investing massive resources into AI. The potential for automation, operational efficiency, new products, and entirely new markets is enormous. As companies compete on innovation, AI becomes both a tool and a strategic differentiator. Wide Applications AI is not confined to a single sector. It is used in healthcare (drug discovery, diagnostics), finance (fraud detection, trading), transportation (autonomous vehicles, route optimization), entertainment (recommendation systems, content generation), agriculture (precision farming), climate science (modeling, forecasting), and many more. Because its reach is broad, its relevance is felt by nearly everyone. Public Awareness & Media Attention The public is more aware of AI than ever—through tools like chatbots, recommendation systems, virtual assistants, and even entertainment portrayals. Discussions about AI ethics, bias, privacy, job displacement, and regulation are common in media, policymaking, and daily conversation.

Opportunities Brought by AI

Efficiency & Automation: AI can take over repetitive, mundane, or dangerous tasks, freeing up humans to pursue more creative or complex work. Scientific Discovery: AI accelerates progress in fields like genomics, material science, and physics by enabling new kinds of simulations, data analysis, and hypothesis generation. Personalized Services: From personalized medicine to education, AI has the potential to tailor experiences to individual needs, improving outcomes. Problem-Solving for Global Challenges: Climate modeling, disaster prediction, optimizing energy use, and more can benefit from AI’s capacity to handle complexity.

Risks, Challenges & Ethical Concerns in AI

Bias, Fairness, and Transparency: AI systems often inherit biases from their training data. Ensuring fair, unbiased behavior, and making models explainable is an ongoing challenge. Job Displacement: Automation risks replacing jobs in many sectors, which may lead to economic disruption, especially for those without the skills to transition to new types of work. Privacy & Surveillance: AI’s ability to collect, analyze, and even predict behavior can be misused by corporations or governments for surveillance or manipulation. Security & Control: AI systems can be vulnerable to adversarial attacks or misuse. Further, as they become more autonomous, questions about accountability, control, and unintended consequences become more pressing. Regulation & Governance: The pace of technical progress often outstrips the development of laws, norms, and ethical frameworks. Ensuring appropriate regulation without stifling innovation is a delicate balance.

How AI Might Shape the Future

Integration into Daily Life: More devices, services, and environments will have embedded AI, making many tasks seamless and adaptive. Smart homes, intelligent assistants, personalized health monitoring, etc., could become standard. Human–Machine Collaboration: Rather than simply replacing human labor, many roles will evolve to be collaborative, where humans and AI work together—humans providing judgment, creativity, empathy; AI providing computation, pattern recognition, scale. New Domains & Capabilities: AI may enable capabilities we can barely imagine now—e.g. more advanced brain–computer interfaces, AI-augmented creativity, improved human health span, environmental restoration. Global Policy & Ethical Norms: As AI’s power increases, so too will the need for international cooperation on issues like AI safety, fairness, regulation, data privacy, and the distribution of benefits.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence stands out as perhaps the most famous — and consequential — field in the world today. It offers transformative opportunities, but also significant risks. Navigating this moment well requires technical innovation and ethical, legal, social wisdom. The shape of our future is likely to be deeply influenced by how we govern, adopt, and integrate AI into society.

How to Build an E-commerce Website and Generate Income from It

E-commerce has become one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide, giving entrepreneurs the chance to sell products or services online and create a sustainable income stream. If you’re considering building your own E-commerce website, here’s a clear guide to help you get started and understand how to make money from it.

1. Choose Your Niche

The first step is deciding what type of products or services you want to sell. A niche helps you focus on a specific market and attract the right customers. Examples include:

Fashion and accessories Fitness and health products Digital downloads (ebooks, templates, courses) Eco-friendly products

A well-defined niche makes it easier to stand out and compete.

2. Select the Right Platform

There are several platforms for building an E-commerce site:

Shopify – Beginner-friendly, fast to launch. WooCommerce (WordPress) – Flexible and customizable. Wix / Squarespace – Great for small stores or beginners. BigCommerce – Suitable for scaling larger businesses.

Choose a platform based on your budget, technical skills, and growth plans.

3. Build Your Website

When creating your online store:

Pick a professional template or theme. Add high-quality images of your products. Write clear, persuasive product descriptions. Set up categories and a search bar to make browsing easy. Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as most shoppers use smartphones.

Don’t forget to include essential pages: Home, About Us, Shop, Contact, and FAQ.

4. Set Up Payment & Shipping

To start selling, you’ll need to integrate payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or credit card options.

If you sell physical products, set up clear shipping policies with reliable carriers.

If you sell digital products, make sure downloads are delivered instantly after payment.

5. Drive Traffic to Your Store

A website won’t make money unless people visit it. Use these strategies to attract customers:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your site so it appears in Google search results. Social Media Marketing: Promote your products on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or Pinterest. Paid Ads: Use Facebook Ads or Google Ads to reach a targeted audience. Content Marketing: Write blogs, create videos, or share tutorials related to your niche. Email Marketing: Collect emails and send promotions to repeat customers.

6. Monetization Strategies

You can generate income from your E-commerce site in different ways:

Direct Sales – Sell physical or digital products directly. Dropshipping – Sell items without holding inventory; suppliers ship directly to customers. Print-on-Demand – Design products like T-shirts or mugs that are only produced when ordered. Subscription Model – Offer monthly boxes, memberships, or premium access. Affiliate Marketing – Promote other brands’ products and earn commission on each sale.

7. Scale and Grow

Once your store is live and generating sales, reinvest your profits:

Improve website design. Expand your product range. Use automation tools for email campaigns and inventory management. Partner with influencers to reach larger audiences.

Over time, your E-commerce website can grow from a small side hustle into a reliable income stream.

Final Thoughts

Creating an E-commerce website is one of the best ways to build an online business today. With the right niche, platform, marketing, and monetization strategy, you can turn your website into a source of consistent income.

The key is starting small, testing your market, and scaling strategically. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with dedication and smart planning, your E-commerce site can become a powerful business.

AWS: Powering Cloud Computing for Businesses and Developers

Aspect Details What is AWSAmazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive cloud computing platform offering over 200 fully featured services from data centers worldwideFounded2006 by AmazonPrimary PurposeProvide scalable, flexible cloud computing solutions for businesses and individual developersKey AdvantagesCost-effectiveness, global infrastructure, security, and wide range of services


Understanding AWS Core Services

AWS offers a vast ecosystem of cloud services. Here are the most critical services for beginners:

  1. Compute Services
  • Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): Virtual servers in the cloud
  • AWS Lambda: Serverless computing platform
  • Amazon ECS: Container orchestration service
  1. Storage Services
  • Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service): Object storage
  • Amazon EBS: Block storage volumes for EC2 instances
  • Amazon Glacier: Low-cost archival storage
  1. Database Services
  • Amazon RDS: Managed relational database service
  • Amazon DynamoDB: NoSQL database service
  • Amazon Redshift: Data warehousing solution

Getting Started with AWS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create an AWS Account

  • Visit aws.amazon.com
  • Click “Create an AWS Account”
  • Provide your email, choose a strong password
  • Enter payment information (AWS offers a free tier for new users)

Step 2: Understand the AWS Management Console

  • Dashboard provides an overview of services
  • Navigation panel on the left helps you access different services
  • Search bar allows quick service lookup

Step 3: Choose Your First Service

  • For beginners, start with Amazon EC2 to launch virtual servers
  • Use AWS Lambda for serverless applications
  • Experiment with Amazon S3 for storage solutions

Best Practices for AWS Usage

  1. Security First
  • Use IAM (Identity and Access Management) to control access
  • Enable multi-factor authentication
  • Implement least privilege principles
  1. Cost Management
  • Use AWS Cost Explorer to track spending
  • Set up billing alerts
  • Leverage the AWS Free Tier for learning
  • Use spot instances for cost-effective computing
  1. Continuous Learning
  • AWS offers free online training through AWS Skill Builder
  • Consider AWS Certification paths
  • Follow AWS technical blogs and documentation

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge AWS Solution Scalability Auto Scaling, Elastic Load Balancing High Availability Multi-AZ deployments, Global Infrastructure Data Backup S3 Versioning, Glacier Archiving Security Concerns AWS Shield, WAF, Security Hub


Recommended Learning Resources

  • AWS Documentation
  • Udemy AWS Courses
  • A Cloud Guru Platform
  • Official AWS Training and Certification

Let me help you explore this further. Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of AWS or provide more detailed guidance on getting started?