You need the Sprint SMS Patch only if the unit you got doesn't already have it. If you got a fresh wx I doubt you need it. Check here for directions on how to check if you need it:
http://www.palm.com/us/support/downl...SMS/index.html
If you need it, I would install that first. As far as the other 2 I can't really tell since I do not use either app. I think it won't really matter, but you never know.
Remember the Palm SMS Thread app is an unsupported beta.