[dsraven]

starting engine periodically
-it is good to start the engine periodically so it can stay lubricated, battery gets fully charged, belts get a work out so they dont get a memory, pulleys get moved across the belt surfaces so they don't get rusty spots, water pump seals get moved so they don't get a memory, seals get lubricated, fuel gets moved through the carb and fuel pump so inlet/outlet valves get cycled and carb srays full, or if fuel injected engine the fuel and injectors get cycled so the fuel lines stay full of pressure and the injector pintles get moved and don't varnish up.
it's good to drive the vehicle so the engine can get up to operating temp. this helps move condensation through the evaprorative system (pcv valve, hoses etc) and this may seem trivial but I have personally seen an engine in an old Tbird where the elderly owner had passed and the wife had kept the car as a memory of her husband. since he had made a point of running the car several times a month the widow also started it a couple times a month. the difference was she just started it and let it run for a few minutes then shut it off. when our shop got involved it had been bought at auction for super cheap because the engine started nicely but then the oil pressure light came on after a short time running. when we removed the valve cover we found the sludge was so much that oil would be pumped up to the valve train but then it couldn't drain back down quick enough so quickly the engine oil pump pickup sump area ran out of oil. running the engine to temp ensures the thermostat opens, the coolant gets circulated through the rad and thoroughly mixed and the system comes up to operating pressure.
driving the vehicle gets the transmission lube circulated and ball/needle bearings get to sit on a different spot on their surfaces so if there is any condensation etc there is less chance of rust starting on exposed parts. the rear axle fluid gets circulated and actually gets down the axle tubes to lube the axle bearings and seal surfaces. brake fluid gets moved, brake caliper or wheel cylinders parts get cycled, tires get moved so as not to get a shape memory. shock absorber shafts get moved through their seals so spot rust and pitting is less likely. park brake cables should be cycled and if a top hat style park brake inside a brake rotor then the park brake could be lightly applied and the vehicle slowly moved a short distance to move the cables and also shine up those drums. poweer steering vehicles also cycle fluid through the system.
thats just my thoughts on it. I have probably missed a few points. when I park a vehicle for winter or whatever I like to service the vehicle first, with a hot oil change, and also put some stabilizer in the fuel and run the vehicle long enough for it to get through the system. there is a different list for long term storage. doing a hot oil change helps get anything that will emulsify in the oil to actually be suspended when the oil is drained. this can be particulates and/or condensation. this can be more important for diesel engines because diesel has some sulpher in it. some of this can get into the oil and then when mixed with the condensation in the engine that can make sulpheric acid.