One of the 508 compliance rules are that all OBJECT tags should contain element content. I'm not familiar with OBJECT tags or anything, but what should the content usually be? I noticed if I just put any string within the OBJECT tags I seem to pass the 508 test.
Is it acceptable to put anything within the OBJECT tags to make this pass verification? Can I just put "useless string"? What effect does the content have?
The content is for fallback in the case that the browser for any reason cannot display the object. Think of it as like the alt attribute for <img> elements. An automated checker can't verify that you are putting something sensible in, only that you've put something in.
It's your responsibility to make that content sensible. It should provide the best possible equivalent in text (or other HTML) that you can provide that conveys the same information as would have been conveyed by the object had it been displayable.