When i open a compressed file accessible by ark, ark opens it but then ark won’t show any list of the files it is supposed to extract. Keep in mind that these files were created under a windows xp OS and i am able to modify them or move them to the trash. Also ark could show a downloaded tar.gz file i downloaded under OpenSuse. I searched the forum and couldn’t find a way to resolve these problems.
I think i might have found one called karchiver
make sure you have zip, unzip, unrar
and if you use kde4
kde4-ExtractAndCompress
Wow, now ark is working like a charm, thanks again Caf 
Good Morning from a rather damp UK.
You are most welcome.
I just tried to open a .gz file with ark and it wouldnt open. i checked the repository for gzip and according to it , i already have it installed 
Should i just give peazip a try?
Edit: peazip didnt work as well
I just tried it and no problem, also right click extract here.
I’m kde4.2.2
yeah that did the trick, thanks again 
maybe you should try fileroller.
i always use it for all my archives 
do you have links to these programs compiled for openSUSE 11.1 64-bit KDE 3.5?
Did you open up Yast-Software Management and search for them. They are available in the repo’s
Just click the box if it’s not ticked already
accept
ark has some serious shortcomings for my use. although it has made some great progress in the 4.x release series.
i use Q7Z. works great for my needs.
ok. Got them thanks.