CYBERSPACE — Free software is like crack for computer geeks — and Adobe’s Photoshop is one of the higher grades of refined photo editing software, outside of the reach of many smaller pocketbooks. No more, thanks to an innovative new push in the software-as-a-service direction by the software giant.According to News.com, not only will an entry-level version of Photoshop become available online — but it will be free of charge and easier to use than Photoshop Elementals.

Likely to be ad-supported, the online version of Photoshop is expected to be offered via a partner, like fellow Adobe products Remix and Create Adobe PDF Online are currently, although it is possible that it will directly hosted if the dollars look right.

The market for web-based application delivery is increasing, with Adobe’s latest lean and mean product going up against the likes of Google, Microsoft, and Corel. Experts anticipate programs that provide limited by quality functionality that will strengthen the brand without cutting into its market share among professionals.