Maybe This is typical but when I start my 2006 Subaru outback, the driver's-side fan on the radiator turns on and off over and over again when the engine is dead cold. When I am stopped or idling it turns on for three or four seconds repeatedly. Typical or atypical?

The cycling of the radiator fan is typically a result of a set of diagnostic connectors being connected.  They should not be connected under normal circumstances.  The connector is a green T shaped connector.  They look like the green connectors in this picture.

 

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/subaru/images/ecuhide.jpg

 

I'm not sure whether the connector is up under the dash on the driver's side or on the passenger side.  I'd check on the driver's side first.

Another possibility could be if the a/c is cycling on and off. Like if you have it on defrost or any setting like that?

There was a recall fix for 05 (maybe 06) for this problem. Google it, mine was fixed at no cost.