I do ascii diagrams all the time. I use Monodraw for that. From a design point of view the restrictions it imposes also create a consistent look and feel. Every

I do ascii diagrams all the time. I use Monodraw for that. From a design point of view the restrictions it imposes also create a consistent look and feel. Everything is aligned to a grid, boxes arrows, text. I never lose any time trying to make things look good as I would with another tool. Also there's the added bonus that since I'm the only one using it amongst the people I work with. When anyone sees it they know... it's a technical drawing from that guy.