Rob, I have had great success with what I think is pretty much the standard recommendation, at least I have seen it suggested in a couple books. Drain the gas and run it until the engine dies, to clear the carb, then take out the plug and put a teaspoon of 2 cycle oil into the cylinder, and pull the starter a few times to distribute it. Then I drain and flush out the oil tank with kerosene. I make sure there is no amount of gas left in the tank under the fuel filter, let it evaporate with the cap off if there is. It would probably evaporate anyway. Saws will sit that way for years then start up without a problem, has been my experience. When you do go to start it, first take out the plug and pull the starter a number of times to try and evacuate the oil. It may smoke like a mother sometimes when first starting, but not a problem. Never have tried any pre-mix or periodic starting, never felt the need. On some saws, putting a little gas directly into the cylinder, or maybe Willie's method of putting some on the air filter, gets them going a bit easier after a long period of non use. It occurs that taking out the carb diaphragm(s), especially the metering one, and keeping it in a tight plastic bag and not exposed to the air, might help it from hardening, but I have never bothered. I find that some model saws come back to life quicker than others, but they all will if good running when put away.
Since I purchased the 880, my 090G might sit unused for a number of years, then will start up again no problemo with the above mentioned. The biggest hindrance I have with it is sometimes forgetting that the throttle lock has to be set for it to start. Some of the oldies were that way.
