The key to the "Code" thing is that it uses a fixed-pitch font. That is,
each character, number or punctuation mark takes up just as much width
as every other one. Thus, characters can be aligned evenly under one
another.
The best way to compose is in a text editor like Notepad or Wordpad
using the Courier font (which is fixed-pitch). Then, when you are happy
with the results, copy and paste into A2K's reply text box and bracket it
all with
Code:
.
This is a holdover from way back in the day -- pre-WP -- when fixed-pitch
was all there was.
~George